tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49656091205562854812024-02-21T03:28:41.827-08:00Agonising GolfNow being written from kaywall.wordpress.com
Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-18281489864241156632012-09-17T18:04:00.001-07:002012-09-17T18:04:06.595-07:00Outsourcing the blog<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Due to the pressures of papparazzi, fan clubs, coaching, and playing commitments I have had to outsource my blogging. Do not despair, I have put it in the safe hands of Kay Wall. The down side of this arrangement is that being a pedantic writer, Kay has decided to blog from WordPress. The latest post is on the right side of this page so it's just one click away.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Or, click here.... <a href="http://kaywall.wordpress.com/">http://kaywall.wordpress.com/</a></span></div>
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Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-40320960515524995442012-09-12T00:26:00.001-07:002012-09-12T00:26:45.153-07:00The Back 9 at Nambour (Tighten your Bra & Sharpen your Sprigs!)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1h_BJBj4lUaKYofvm1f3hgCoUdhqrGcPcadksO5eieHtKkpW7s63A6sNbXqBfuwndJeun28YeQcWtScWkOHmYJzyGnIYiu0jp45YSrmT0lelnf20EhCSTENMcAlonL7cWFLrNUWCfnlE/s1600/Nmbr+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1h_BJBj4lUaKYofvm1f3hgCoUdhqrGcPcadksO5eieHtKkpW7s63A6sNbXqBfuwndJeun28YeQcWtScWkOHmYJzyGnIYiu0jp45YSrmT0lelnf20EhCSTENMcAlonL7cWFLrNUWCfnlE/s320/Nmbr+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10th hole</td></tr>
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As with most courses, the 10th tee at Nambour is close to the clubhouse so you can take a quick stop there for the loo, refreshments or a change of bra (see previous blog on Nambour front 9). Here we have a 145 metre par 3, downhill.<br />
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This is the only hole on the course that plays shorter than its yardage. Okay, there are bunkers in the front to be wary of, but ... there is a concrete path behind the green which funnels a long tee shot down a 40 metre hill to the next fairway. You Do Not Want To Go Down That Hill. Take my word for it.<br />
This is the only time when I would advise, if in doubt, take the shorter club.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1xl_OIq1NwpZab8jPzj_Wfqp2sBGntrjP1dFzvu3DeS28K5QiGjrUXStQJg2OJn4aoU-beNu4CKv4uAno0Aw5q7SOESr9IWpXqaOz9qVniV88_ftUJAfhUfJUcqmdD3MOA_gS3vu2hOo/s1600/Nmbr+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1xl_OIq1NwpZab8jPzj_Wfqp2sBGntrjP1dFzvu3DeS28K5QiGjrUXStQJg2OJn4aoU-beNu4CKv4uAno0Aw5q7SOESr9IWpXqaOz9qVniV88_ftUJAfhUfJUcqmdD3MOA_gS3vu2hOo/s320/Nmbr+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11th tee</td></tr>
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The 11th is the only par 5 on the back 9 and it’s 400 metres. If you happened to overclub on the 10th, you will already have noted just how steeply downhill the initial part of the fairway is.</div>
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If you're not in a cart, there is an advantage to having elevated tees especially if, like me, you're not as fit as you used to be. As you've got to go up, once you go down, you can use the slope as a runway. Providing your sprigs are sharp enough to give you a good grip. (That's one of the reasons I resent the change from metal to plastic.)<br />
Of course, if you tend to overrun your tee-shots, you're going to have to develop a Happy Gilmour golf swing.<br />
Make sure your second shot on 11 finishes on the right side of the fairway or you’ll be blocked from the green by a stand of majestic palm trees on the left. Well, they’re majestic when observed from the right side of the fairway. Stuck behind them, I didn’t like the look of them at all. This green is two tiered and one of the bigger on the course so, if the pin’s at the back, take 2 extra clubs. We both managed par here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7eulqnNn6OMMu0rHB_diJIcifG5x23a-FtVI1KM08Gc8mc-ajR-rfj_7GHWgE2KERKVkR0YB2eXq3sN1kY3UMQdPq1f66dP4ItIel6auEWFk8qFYWIL3pjP3fskne05aWyt8MlinDpiQ/s1600/Nmbr+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7eulqnNn6OMMu0rHB_diJIcifG5x23a-FtVI1KM08Gc8mc-ajR-rfj_7GHWgE2KERKVkR0YB2eXq3sN1kY3UMQdPq1f66dP4ItIel6auEWFk8qFYWIL3pjP3fskne05aWyt8MlinDpiQ/s320/Nmbr+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12th tee</td></tr>
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The 12th is a par 4 of 302 metres and the slopes go sideways, rather than straight up or straight down. They're wonderful because they'll help to funnel your tee shot into the fairway, providing you don't duck-hook.<br />
A relatively gentle slope from the tee so you won't need to channel Happy Gilmour here. Another elevated green at which we were both short. But I managed to chip to a gimme 4, while Fiona hit her chip in the guts and scored 5.</div>
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Once again, you’re not going to find much level ground on the 13th, a par 4 of 294 metres. It’s a slight dogleg right and not easy to find the centre of the fairway with your tee shot. We both had to play long low shots for our seconds, to keep them under branches and chasing up the slope to the green. I missed left and had a difficult chip over bare ground on to a green sloping away from me. I bumbled it and left it short so took 2 putts for bogey while Fiona had a straight forward uphill shot and chipped it dead.<o:p></o:p><br />
You get a bit of a breather on the next hole, a 170 metre par 3, downhill with out of bounds all the way down the right and a pond on the left, just short of the green. Fiona teed off with her 3 wood and the ball sailed out of bounds, but hit the bank in a lucky spot and bounced back on to the course.</div>
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I couldn’t believe it and was still stewing when I hit my 3 wood out of bounds and into the cemetery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Definitely a message from the golfing gods.<br />
Never be annoyed by another golfer’s good fortune.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At least I scored par with my second ball. Shame I had to add 2 to it. Fiona chipped short and 2 putted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I sincerely commiserated.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7UKHgTHbwvVp79lQDv8W2JOd85r_Hee8dJwAOtn7c_Crbx2sdwiZdXSosL_OIBuAANrNy6SOjw3_uqPKxz1G0RpUE5aq7fMYhGzp_4IAeQX7TljRAhyjgFiJTsrFQAHcauONvaGjkrFX/s1600/Nmbr+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7UKHgTHbwvVp79lQDv8W2JOd85r_Hee8dJwAOtn7c_Crbx2sdwiZdXSosL_OIBuAANrNy6SOjw3_uqPKxz1G0RpUE5aq7fMYhGzp_4IAeQX7TljRAhyjgFiJTsrFQAHcauONvaGjkrFX/s320/Nmbr+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15th hole</td></tr>
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Just a gentle slope up to the green on the 15th, a dogleg right par 4 of 317 metres. I had a lot of shots, into elevated greens, that were about a 5 iron distance. As I’m playing my 4 and 5 irons poorly, I spent a lot of today going down the shaft of my rescue and using that. This worked well here because if I hit it high and it landed on the green, it stopped fast. If I hit it a bit skinny, it ran like hell all the way up the slope and on to the green, and the slope slowed it down enough to leave me putting. The skinny shot worked perfectly on this hole and I ended up 8 ft pin high to the left. Fiona duffed her drive, skinnied her second and then played a superb sand wedge to be 4 ft left of the pin. I missed birdie (short, you fool!) and she sank her par putt. Two shots behind with 3 holes to go.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFbuSdWIQR9F7ga4ITeReB0kwjHHWvtPARaKhIElEYaN7rJYsLQsQM5Hhc311q6yb0FuVaGs4KdC5d2RsKlOt7yhCUlYTvuKVW6M-N6sqXhpAw7Sutgh9NhHvhjuNqznl2N9pVAQoSujh/s1600/Nmbr+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFbuSdWIQR9F7ga4ITeReB0kwjHHWvtPARaKhIElEYaN7rJYsLQsQM5Hhc311q6yb0FuVaGs4KdC5d2RsKlOt7yhCUlYTvuKVW6M-N6sqXhpAw7Sutgh9NhHvhjuNqznl2N9pVAQoSujh/s320/Nmbr+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16th tee</td></tr>
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I think the 16th is the signature hole on the back nine, because it requires two accurate shots to reach the green. It's a dogleg right par 4, 317 metres, downhill but the fairway slopes left to right so, while you get extra length down, most of it is sideways. By aiming left, I managed to stay on the fairway but had about 170 to the green. Fiona went right into trees and it didn’t look good from the tee. However, when we got down there, she’d run right through the trees and was only 150 metres from the green. With an excellent angle in. We were both short but she got up and down and I didn’t.</div>
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The 17th is an uphill par 3, 125 metres. Fiona hit the narrow elevated green. I went down the shaft of the rescue and went to the back of the green. I 3 putted, Fiona 2 putted. I swore. She didn't.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Everyone we spoke to, before we went to Nambour, had warned us about the 18th. I guess you could call it the signature hole, although most of the golfers mentioned the mechanised rope that pulled you up to the clubhouse, rather than the hole itself. I imagine it breaks a lot of hearts, and scores, although we came away with a par and a birdie.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMZC-P8WxhOA8LK2TSydW6X3OiUhMIvfeklYC1Cya0XFCi0q9IXEbEwcMmOzEXao6QpL2OUBI6B7dnAgzyR8PVqzyiTH0kurR1nZnqel0MDBskWdnCWgJ3AgX2SYPq7O_FmOabe4vGoe5/s1600/Nmbr18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoMZC-P8WxhOA8LK2TSydW6X3OiUhMIvfeklYC1Cya0XFCi0q9IXEbEwcMmOzEXao6QpL2OUBI6B7dnAgzyR8PVqzyiTH0kurR1nZnqel0MDBskWdnCWgJ3AgX2SYPq7O_FmOabe4vGoe5/s320/Nmbr18.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18th hole from the tee, steeper than it looks</td></tr>
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It's a short par 4 of 280 metres, but uphill all the way. We both had good drives to about 92 metres from the green. I hit my best 7 iron of the day and the ball hit the front of the green and disappeared towards the hole. Fiona hit her 7 iron a little fat and stopped just short of the green.<br />
Here's my chance, I thought, she could shank her chip and 3 putt and I could 1 putt.<br />
Alas, the golfing gods were still on Fiona's side. She sank a 40 ft right to left breaking putt. I missed my downhill 8 footer.</div>
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Fiona 78. Kay 81.</div>
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Bugger, had to drive home again.<br />
Practice isn't working. Playing heaps of golf in warm weather isn't working.<br />
Looks like it's back to sacrificing roosters at the full moon again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFHpweiB0Tdu6LU1FPaMVZn1sULEuJ9yRzkmxSvke3TVMYJFulb-l4QfiW4hQJy4NryHR7TyoCX10OyE4T6QmrgJrzVxs4L8dhZLiEn8AoMiNsRselk-lDxzMwR9sZYbfuI5sv3mSXpyu/s1600/Nambour+18g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFHpweiB0Tdu6LU1FPaMVZn1sULEuJ9yRzkmxSvke3TVMYJFulb-l4QfiW4hQJy4NryHR7TyoCX10OyE4T6QmrgJrzVxs4L8dhZLiEn8AoMiNsRselk-lDxzMwR9sZYbfuI5sv3mSXpyu/s320/Nambour+18g.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18th green, viewed from clubhouse</td></tr>
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Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-54066363621836076402012-09-06T02:26:00.000-07:002012-09-06T02:26:28.486-07:00Forget the Snakes, Look out for Killer Duck<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguMl_wy7skLowmufsIOvXozNYeJ1gkj9fFGRz1pK9mRsCbgacVYfIIBPm40A_m1v1p85w113yXi6BVQfT2BWXR2_2a3AEoqTWI7wS-hddg0VtwWiQi_3AP0I6-wGiebIhseM5rPQBOIi0/s1600/duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguMl_wy7skLowmufsIOvXozNYeJ1gkj9fFGRz1pK9mRsCbgacVYfIIBPm40A_m1v1p85w113yXi6BVQfT2BWXR2_2a3AEoqTWI7wS-hddg0VtwWiQi_3AP0I6-wGiebIhseM5rPQBOIi0/s320/duck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now I know why they yelled 'Duck' instead of 'fore'.</td></tr>
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If you hit your ball into the rough at Headlands Golf Club, Sunshine Coast, it's not the snakes you have to look out for - it's the killer duck. This feisty drake hangs around the 17th and 18th holes and has been observed seeing off golf carts.</div>
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I decided he needed the ball more than I did.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1K_YHqNAhiSjHZB8lD2oVdiowyUhL71bCOQmyL21iHKFrUaek_tjL7XcXz-XOif9ElCpkFU_pb02DgtT76h2d7hkzksLqrnd5dT204Rbn4yCQ8g2wn-5uhkn3Uo3WG9rMJDUAzFlkVH4/s1600/ducklings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1K_YHqNAhiSjHZB8lD2oVdiowyUhL71bCOQmyL21iHKFrUaek_tjL7XcXz-XOif9ElCpkFU_pb02DgtT76h2d7hkzksLqrnd5dT204Rbn4yCQ8g2wn-5uhkn3Uo3WG9rMJDUAzFlkVH4/s320/ducklings.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum, Dad and the 15 offspring</td></tr>
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Okay, maybe it wasn't really my golf ball he was after...<br />
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<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-1621282035976027552012-09-02T15:34:00.002-07:002012-09-02T15:34:31.707-07:00Tighten your Bra Straps at Nambour Golf Club<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD5Ferybvp0wh56uPfOR5hjEF9B1AXSP7KJRvYFleqb3kXhnqQu_o87zBqhdD4lbs_e3x7iRfs8YWU1Aoov3MGfrh3lEX8MBs3Lnb0R_Q_ig6H38Jjn15SpWD2iHa6GNpoVQNojdtNp5S/s1600/Nambour+kookaburra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD5Ferybvp0wh56uPfOR5hjEF9B1AXSP7KJRvYFleqb3kXhnqQu_o87zBqhdD4lbs_e3x7iRfs8YWU1Aoov3MGfrh3lEX8MBs3Lnb0R_Q_ig6H38Jjn15SpWD2iHa6GNpoVQNojdtNp5S/s320/Nambour+kookaburra.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nambour Golf Club has lots of kookaburras</td></tr>
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The tip for playing this golf course,<u> if you're using a cart</u>, is: women, tighten up the shoulder straps on your bra. I swear that after playing this course, I'm drooping an extra inch. There are a lot of humps and hollows that are unavoidable in a cart.<br />
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This may help you decide whether or not to walk Nambour: are you more concerned with scoring well, or with droopy boobs?</div>
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I gave up on perkiness 30 years ago.<o:p></o:p><br />
Guys, if you've ever told yourself, 'I've got a muscly chest, a wee bit flabby, but they are <u>not</u> man-boobs' ... well, after you've ridden a couple of holes, you'll know the truth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbrzyUd0ficQsIKdvASKx4NDWMcYu8ox1HYPaY8QldrkGrypbCiWN8Vaa3vpAken1EjriQE32lYIUOvq7qiFWF_PWIPtgrfW_-9BgfCP81xGTvSlcW3tEowqxvLnrWpOc-M3kkmoKQiaN/s1600/Nmbr+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbrzyUd0ficQsIKdvASKx4NDWMcYu8ox1HYPaY8QldrkGrypbCiWN8Vaa3vpAken1EjriQE32lYIUOvq7qiFWF_PWIPtgrfW_-9BgfCP81xGTvSlcW3tEowqxvLnrWpOc-M3kkmoKQiaN/s320/Nmbr+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Although the cart ride may be a little bumpy, your golfing experience will more than make up for this. Nambour oozes character and it's at the top of our list for 'must return and play again' courses.</div>
I have
never seen so many elevated tees and greens on one course. The course designer
must have had great imagination to see the potential for a golf course amongst all these hills and valleys.<br />
On
Tuesdays at Nambour (par 70, 4719 metres) they offer two for one deals on green
fees, and that includes a two for one voucher for drinks (per person). The
round cost us $76 for two, including a cart. Green fees alone are $36.<br />
And you
will definitely enjoy the round more if you have a cart. There are some major
climbs between tee and green. An unusual feature was the fact that they only
used one set of tees. Rather than men's and women's tees, they have 'forward' and 'back'. Some of the tees are a bit rough, with a couple of tees being
mats.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The first
hole is a gentle start, a par 4 dogleg left of 285 metres, downhill all the
way. A good drive will leave you with wedge or gentle 9 iron for your second.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The
greens are small and the grass is more like what we're used to in New Zealand.
However, they were probably the slowest greens we've played on, but true. As they were smaller than on other courses, with less undulations, they were easier to
read.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGsN_-PqAdoqH7exFJTbTNt4B-ZwdQE4k-iccCDq9UeQGt1It0J7_xCr-vu04kt6oNVxLGvGtzW-vOctLUdM_CzTRNyoQ9d_1c0Etmtrh3R2mXd_wwEl06yt2Mfevl9-PEhFaZF1vXndZ/s1600/Nmbr+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGsN_-PqAdoqH7exFJTbTNt4B-ZwdQE4k-iccCDq9UeQGt1It0J7_xCr-vu04kt6oNVxLGvGtzW-vOctLUdM_CzTRNyoQ9d_1c0Etmtrh3R2mXd_wwEl06yt2Mfevl9-PEhFaZF1vXndZ/s320/Nmbr+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd tee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The second hole is a simple
par 3 of 135 metres. I got on with a rescue and then 3 putted (Fiona too).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
We had
trouble finding the 3rd tee, which is to the right and past the 11th tee marker.
There is such serious elevation here that we disturbed a base jumper. Or maybe
it was just a fit young guy carrying his clubs. (No man-boobs on this guy!)
Elevated green also. Whatever club you’ve chosen for your approach to these
elevated greens, put it back and take one more. Especially on this hole which has a long uphill green.<o:p></o:p><br />
4. Par 5
of only 366 metres but none of it is level. The tee shot is fun, set back in
amongst a tall stand of trees and palms.
Good drive and good second will leave you with a short iron on to the
green, not quite straight up. Bunker on right. DON’T be short.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xHLJeQ9S-7Lqm01wCjgcLteCxqS3oioI9dhGDlfHkJAnxCZtfwWE7J-O-MRnElbIL4AP3aF3iXgikw7UKX9Wuf8TlskMDdgRsunNvpDhR4ZW0-ydH-wbzhvMVU3fuh5MEFvGTFqp2-Ib/s1600/Nmbr+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xHLJeQ9S-7Lqm01wCjgcLteCxqS3oioI9dhGDlfHkJAnxCZtfwWE7J-O-MRnElbIL4AP3aF3iXgikw7UKX9Wuf8TlskMDdgRsunNvpDhR4ZW0-ydH-wbzhvMVU3fuh5MEFvGTFqp2-Ib/s320/Nmbr+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th tee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What
goes up, must come down. That saying is going to be your mantra by the end of
the round. Another gloriously elevated tee for the 5th hole, par 5 of 405 metres, where the drive landing area is
reasonably flat but your second is to a heavily sloping right to left fairway.
And there’s a water hazard over there, too, if you’re prone to hooking. I
watched Fiona come up short with a 9 iron from 85 metres. I was a little behind
her and took a 7 iron, which ended up on the green just short of the pin.<br />
On the 6th hole, a par
3 of 120 metres (they had us off the back tees) the view is fantastic. It's all carry
over a ravine to the green. Don’t slice your tee shot or you’ll be in the hazard. The guy ahead of us went in there and it took him a considerable time to re-emerge. We wondered if the lush vegetation was due to blood and bone fertiliser from previous golfers. Our guy staggered out eventually but didn’t bother finishing the hole.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HLoplR_q_ZLQT_AfWpcva1QXR4FkyKGt6Wh66RmA8IN_jzKkBb9dP9Yvf1h8KX99hSQI_vaz9zAcspqB0Vki2dC9rhlNuMG3tivm4_FuLA5TUzwQOEnLQM_TluSnn18O6qKFWc9fJ_AP/s1600/Nmbr+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HLoplR_q_ZLQT_AfWpcva1QXR4FkyKGt6Wh66RmA8IN_jzKkBb9dP9Yvf1h8KX99hSQI_vaz9zAcspqB0Vki2dC9rhlNuMG3tivm4_FuLA5TUzwQOEnLQM_TluSnn18O6qKFWc9fJ_AP/s320/Nmbr+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6th green, looking back to tee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I decided to err on the side of caution, not wanting to contribute to plant food, so took plenty of club. I went down the shaft of my rescue and finished just
off the back of the green but had an easy 2 putt for par. As did Fiona.<br />
The 7th is another par 5 (378 metres) and surprise, surprise, there’s that base-jumper
again. I tugged my drive left so played my rescue to keep the 2nd shot straight
and away from the water hazard on the right. From which I had 98 metres to a
green which was so far above that I had to walk up about 50 metres to see where
it was. There is an aiming post at the back, but it’s not much good when you’re
way right. My 6 iron rushed through the
back and I 3 putted for bogey.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjPem-bwJX0FGn3v7h0iRoSmMHf1Xk4LpDlE61ukAGz0jSjpuI2ZarqDOlAz1NMnRthdwXkF4Eh5ncgtjaxLoRpO-lAqVOUHV2mmpFN8vsn1suTeYwOM-j_s19jhAqKBy0VzHL0_V4hzY/s1600/Nmbr+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjPem-bwJX0FGn3v7h0iRoSmMHf1Xk4LpDlE61ukAGz0jSjpuI2ZarqDOlAz1NMnRthdwXkF4Eh5ncgtjaxLoRpO-lAqVOUHV2mmpFN8vsn1suTeYwOM-j_s19jhAqKBy0VzHL0_V4hzY/s320/Nmbr+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7th green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The 8th is a par 3
of 123 metres, uphill all the way. They were working on the tee so we had a 10 metre headstart. We both chose 5 iron, which we hit well, so managed a green in regulation. You could either say we had easy 2 putt pars or, if you're being honest, we wimped our birdie putts and scored par.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
The 9th is a short
par 4, 265 metres, but don't get too excited. You must keep your drive left if you want a simple short iron into the green, because the fairway falls to the right. I went right and had to
negotiate trees and a greenside bunker. Hit my 8 iron off the toe so managed to clear the trees but not the bunker. Had an okay sand shot but missed the 8 ft putt for par. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
Bugger. I
shot 42, Fiona 41 (par 36).<o:p></o:p><br />
I'm afraid this blog post is getting too long, so I'll leave the back nine for another day. The trouble is that every hole at Nambour is so interesting, I can't bear to leave any of them out. Or maybe I'm just too fond of the sound of my own voice, figuratively speaking.<br />
Anyway, after the 9th you're back at the clubhouse so you can go to the locker room and tighten those bra straps for the back 9.</div>
Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-40875397859362211632012-08-26T01:59:00.002-07:002012-08-26T01:59:57.010-07:00The Importance of Controlling your Temper at Golf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<u>Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club</u><br />
<b>Pacific:</b> (adj) tending to lessen conflict; having a soothing appearance or effect; mild of temper.</div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<b>Harbour:</b> (noun) any place of refuge.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtM2KVijRBvpH0KvA6lJxibSFJwUn8N8M-M2YBMEwxpgzhEOfLoerTa44rdxtXRxIi48MjU89ooy7fXF5I6cDBD4B3Q2yuW3lxyVdn_NN611_9NNEqzIP0k9IF3f8TKa2K2bRB9QLKVXD/s1600/PHclubhse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtM2KVijRBvpH0KvA6lJxibSFJwUn8N8M-M2YBMEwxpgzhEOfLoerTa44rdxtXRxIi48MjU89ooy7fXF5I6cDBD4B3Q2yuW3lxyVdn_NN611_9NNEqzIP0k9IF3f8TKa2K2bRB9QLKVXD/s320/PHclubhse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacific Harbour practice green and clubhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Boy, did they get the name of this golf course wrong!<br />
The only thing this course has in common with its name is that it's going to be a long voyage across water and sand before you reach the green.<br />
And there's no refuge once you're at the green, where you switch from sailing to mountaineering. Pacific Harbour features huge greens, and some have such large slopes that you'll require oxygen to get from the front to the back.<br />
(You think I'm exaggerating. Huh. Wait'll you play here.)<br />
The green fees are usually $99, with a cart. If you're willing to tee off between 6 and 7 am, it drops to $49, cart included. We checked their website and were delighted to find a special offer for August where you could play Pacific Harbour and Bribie Island, on consecutive days, for $99, cart included at both courses.<br />
Two green fees for the price of one - how could any golfer resist that?<br />
Our group consisted of two single-figure golfers, a 12 handicapper and a 36 handicapper. We opted to play Pacific Harbour first, which is definitely the best order to play the courses as Pacific Harbour is the tougher layout.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ0uNSnFKts4yA3o7SyANiAseHE6MfekkEOQrAzZO8557LnuO13bizamLMmLRvcnteuGNfrOG_eRD4kgfRyULyvQd3X6T90y5w7DD-O5OzsZSnMrn9koABOFxCilsGlQWNDAXzV4a3-t-/s1600/6th+green+PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ0uNSnFKts4yA3o7SyANiAseHE6MfekkEOQrAzZO8557LnuO13bizamLMmLRvcnteuGNfrOG_eRD4kgfRyULyvQd3X6T90y5w7DD-O5OzsZSnMrn9koABOFxCilsGlQWNDAXzV4a3-t-/s320/6th+green+PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6th green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All four of us found the course testing and our sand wedges are just about worn out. And I'm afraid to say the mountaineering analogy is apt for some of the greenside bunkers. If your ball plugs in the sides, you're going to need crampons to get to it. (Let alone getting in and out.)<br />
Off the Jade tees the course measures 5195 metres (par 72), which isn't particularly long but with all the fairway bunkers and ponds/waterways you've got to be accurate with your tee shots.<br />
It also helps if you're good at lagging 100 ft putts, which is about the length of the putt I'm facing on the 6th green. I got it pin-high, 5 ft to the left but lipped out with the next one. The photo doesn't show the massive slope about 30 feet short of the pin.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
The fairways are gently undulating and generous in width, but there are a lot of long walks between greens and tees so I'd advise using a cart.<br />
Especially in August when the temperature is getting up to 27 degrees.<br />
Most of the greens are elevated, so practice your pitching for at least a week, before you play here. If you're hopeless at pitching, you can putt from well off the green with your rescue/hybrid. Fiona employed the shot with good results.<br />
My first experience of a 'pacific' hole was at the 4th, a par 3 of 107 metres. It's a very wide green of two tiers and the pin was on the left, which meant if you went for the pin, you had to carry a large bunker, with scrub left and behind.<br />
I hit my best 6 iron of the trip and put the ball just 8 feet short of the pin and sank the putt. Love this course, I'm thinking, after just 4 holes. Alas, that pacific feeling of contentment would not remain.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYbOBTV7ID6QeGH7eYb0SR_a2eoLGna8Ht2s1S3k6CuUhgdJHBqP6EOibS2bUf4f4I9M-ww-QZ_MD0j9LfGjxqEB7rvzQA1y0B0fmCyD-ePRff1kAA49XjR42HHPvCU06FhpUBYWTOIWQ/s1600/7th+t+PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYbOBTV7ID6QeGH7eYb0SR_a2eoLGna8Ht2s1S3k6CuUhgdJHBqP6EOibS2bUf4f4I9M-ww-QZ_MD0j9LfGjxqEB7rvzQA1y0B0fmCyD-ePRff1kAA49XjR42HHPvCU06FhpUBYWTOIWQ/s320/7th+t+PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7th tee (women's)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Parred the 5th, par 5 of 404 metres, which has lots of fairway bunkers and a stream across the fairway at about the length of a good second shot. Still feelling pacific.<br />
Managed to par the 7th, 286 metre par 4, lots of water left, more fairway bunkers and an undulating green but a good drive leaves you with a short iron to the green so it's relatively straight forward.<br />
Then we turned the corner to the 8th, a long par 3 of 157 metres. All the way up the right side is a huge bunker, to the right of which you have a major waterway.<br />
And once again, the green is HUGE. And undulating.<br />
After Fiona played 3 wood and got her ball on the front of the green, I took driver.<br />
And creamed it.<br />
I was congratulating myself right up until the ball bounced into a little hillock on the left and stopped on the front of the green.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyTvjyCsa43XmdgsmCEW1mgZJ1nyZif2n8rlBCsVzzcVxxU9o4wdHNLTz16vjmCp_kPC4JD14zVIQWfLZRfBvCrna7oeGuGdE0cyQI_hTDkPUZqQQbQBTf2fzheOX5PqHxrOIPRwhJFr2/s1600/8+green+PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyTvjyCsa43XmdgsmCEW1mgZJ1nyZif2n8rlBCsVzzcVxxU9o4wdHNLTz16vjmCp_kPC4JD14zVIQWfLZRfBvCrna7oeGuGdE0cyQI_hTDkPUZqQQbQBTf2fzheOX5PqHxrOIPRwhJFr2/s320/8+green+PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8th green, the Himalayas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pin was at the back, and I had a putt along what looked like the Himalayas.<br />
Four putts later there was a major increase in feelings of conflict, especially as Fiona managed to 2 putt for par.<br />
Yep, I was gasping for oxygen by the time the damn ball went in that hole.<br />
In my defence, Fiona had a much easier putt than me as she was going straight up all the humps and hollows whereas I had to skirt the edges.<br />
At least the back of this green offers a great view for you to rest and catch your breath.<br />
As with many of the greens on this course, you tell yourself you'd play the hole much better a second time.<br />
And, as long as you never play it again, you'll have no trouble convincing yourself of this.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyFU3JwjekxGU0qjY3C0Nhdo8ovYlu0XA_DpuNOJj5YtIqnClgbiFWlSiPbZWh1ZIL_o0MlSgppDwvZbu8FT4QpCFq5L5U5ptWZsJ6kEfxMrNI_43s1bv88DL23JF-3yZYYZwUFoiOXte/s1600/9th+frway+PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyFU3JwjekxGU0qjY3C0Nhdo8ovYlu0XA_DpuNOJj5YtIqnClgbiFWlSiPbZWh1ZIL_o0MlSgppDwvZbu8FT4QpCFq5L5U5ptWZsJ6kEfxMrNI_43s1bv88DL23JF-3yZYYZwUFoiOXte/s320/9th+frway+PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9th fairway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The 9th, par 4, has a wide fairway but a narrow entrance to the green. Bunkers left, water right and, at 332 metres you're going to be playing a fairway wood if you're going for it in 2. I decided I could use my 5 wood to run the ball in from the front left. I made good contact but pulled the ball and ended up on the path. As my nearest relief was in prime snake habitat, I elected to play it off the path.<br />
Not very well but scrambled a bogey.<br />
I was out in 42, while Fiona had a very creditable 39.<br />
So we both headed for the 10th still believing that, in spite of difficult greens, the course suits its name, especially if you consider it an exercise in retaining your equanimity under extreme duress.<br />
If you can shrug off your poor shots on this course, you will shrug them off anywhere.<br />
I managed par on the next couple of holes but then had trouble on 12, a par 5 of 422 metres with greenside bunkers. I was rapt to get out of the bunker with one shot (the face was about 15 ft high) but then I 3 putted.<br />
More gasping for oxygen.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBnktBDRJHbbVMuAA-xLVxpRaWsN0XwmE2De-w5kK-nV82HDSWciZA_oLnKFCo96TF252Q3HUcQvL44pdeWCU35y-BPKeE3R-Ss7SFoOnI65HadQhAyQV0OWhAak8Nbhxwuk8Ck-AyK_A/s1600/11th+tee+PH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBnktBDRJHbbVMuAA-xLVxpRaWsN0XwmE2De-w5kK-nV82HDSWciZA_oLnKFCo96TF252Q3HUcQvL44pdeWCU35y-BPKeE3R-Ss7SFoOnI65HadQhAyQV0OWhAak8Nbhxwuk8Ck-AyK_A/s320/11th+tee+PH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I don't know whether I got tired or the course got more difficult but my back nine consisted of par, par, dble bogey, par, dble bogey, dble bogey, par, par, and dble bogey to finish.<br />
That gave me a 44 to go with my 42.<br />
Fiona also wilted and shot 43 on the back nine, but an 82 on Pacific Harbour is pretty creditable.<br />
The hardest thing to do in golf is shrug off the bad shots.<br />
Pacific Harbour will provide you with lots of opportunities to kick the festering habit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-75653183576661962892012-08-24T02:00:00.000-07:002012-08-24T02:00:11.875-07:00Special Aussie Golf AidsThe great thing about playing golf in Australia is all the <u>free</u> golfing aids.<br />
If you find your putting stroke is too fast, and you're racing past the hole at Pacific Harbour, the kind staff at the course have provided you with the golfing aid pictured below.<br />
There's nothing like a little snake venom to slow down your stroke.<br />
And it's not a banned, performance enhancing substance either.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5Zc8uI_TrUsbSlDEdDc14NqNHIFmMZV_v_lo3pb5_2ET-zFkQaal_5aOdub3Rm-3i0k9k9FgzfDkvgwgmf9bPIK5VyJgbCsbWb-p3nwfzMgznkgRH39ziukOxN3O-4-dhKIAQYnkS0Wf/s1600/snake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5Zc8uI_TrUsbSlDEdDc14NqNHIFmMZV_v_lo3pb5_2ET-zFkQaal_5aOdub3Rm-3i0k9k9FgzfDkvgwgmf9bPIK5VyJgbCsbWb-p3nwfzMgznkgRH39ziukOxN3O-4-dhKIAQYnkS0Wf/s320/snake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-34409961405683243782012-08-22T03:09:00.004-07:002012-08-22T03:09:48.964-07:00Mind your Language at Caboolture Golf ClubWe're not certain if the webmaster made a mistake, but iseekgolf had rounds of golf at Caboolture Golf Club for $10. So we booked straight away.<br />
It turned out to be the golfing bargain of the century.We rented trundlers for $5, which still gave us an incredibly cheap round of golf. (That was the only time we saw the $10 deal, but Caboolture does a deal on their own website for 2 green fees with a cart - $56 on Thursdays.)<br />
Caboolture is just under an hour's drive south of Alexandra Heads and very easy to get to on the highway.<br />
There was certainly nothing 'cheap' about the course, which was in great order and had true, fast greens.<br />
'Don't judge a book by its cover' also holds true for a golf course i.e. you shouldn't judge a course by its first couple of holes. They were a bit scruffy and side by side up-and-back holes (boring layout, I was thinking) but when you step on to the 3rd tee, picured below, you get the feeling that surprises await.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXeAhlowzMVOa_YLknQXIISqYL8LKFJ4CBlNhp13dNhcVx9dM-k3HsMBhyYoDJWPIJMhyphenhyphenuJGlhGScfHJwAK84WyTqZmeHhqDgEkC3Z34akfrkLZp5UU3Bs-LKHAmfddCfyBsfr2vFRg2w/s1600/Caboolture+swear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkXeAhlowzMVOa_YLknQXIISqYL8LKFJ4CBlNhp13dNhcVx9dM-k3HsMBhyYoDJWPIJMhyphenhyphenuJGlhGScfHJwAK84WyTqZmeHhqDgEkC3Z34akfrkLZp5UU3Bs-LKHAmfddCfyBsfr2vFRg2w/s320/Caboolture+swear.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming to a tee near you</td></tr>
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Considering the sign on the fence, probably nasty surprises.<br />
As the picture indicates, actions speak louder than words.<br />
Caboolture is a 5331 metre, par 72 layout. The greens are big, fast, undulating and, like most courses we've played on in the Sunshine Coast, well protected by bunkers.<br />
Water also plays a big part in the courses here, particularly at Caboolture where you have the river and several large ponds to negotiate.<br />
The 5th hole, a 330 metre par 4, is a good example of how the number 1 stroke holes on the Sunshine Coast are worthy of that number.<br />
First, you have a tee shot to a narrow fairway bordered by trees on the right and a pond on the left.<br />
You're probably saying, "What's so hard about that?"<br />
Well, the narrow fairway you're aiming at has a major slope left towards the pond. And it is also a dogleg left, so you need to be on the right side of the fairway to get a shot at the green. Which, of course, is protected by a large bunker on the left.<br />
If you manage to hit the green in two (330 metres requires two solid shots), don't breathe a sigh of relief yet. The green is huge and undulating. You could still have a 40 or 50 ft putt, and you'd better hope it's not downhill.<br />
And don't relax as you leave that hole and make your way to the 6th, a 356 metre par 4 dogleg. Nice wide fairway but the drive is uphill so you need a long straight shot on the right to get close to the top of the hill and see what your next shot holds.<br />
Fear.<br />
Trees and rough to the right, a bunker protecting the front right of the green which has humps and hollows around it. I have the impression that it's a narrow green at the front, but that may just be because I never managed to hit this green in two. (Or three, to be honest.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2JUTPJAzNFWI-pZwjMhjqvX8qGHYtuWzNjUcE7XpNvGjxnSH3abAGT6_8Vnyf8OSuMPA2orGx5D_8AE4NaaqYmfmg55MwbRSMMUwkHPzHhltt5D41oM4xNZ8EIbq8c_gZcyEdO2nLwdd/s1600/caboolture+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2JUTPJAzNFWI-pZwjMhjqvX8qGHYtuWzNjUcE7XpNvGjxnSH3abAGT6_8Vnyf8OSuMPA2orGx5D_8AE4NaaqYmfmg55MwbRSMMUwkHPzHhltt5D41oM4xNZ8EIbq8c_gZcyEdO2nLwdd/s320/caboolture+tee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7th tee</td></tr>
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At least the 7th is a reasonably straightforward 288 metre par 4. Very picturesque, with the river running along the left side. At last, I thought, a par 4 under 300 metres.<br />
An elevated tee always makes a hole seem inviting and, provided you get away a solid tee shot, you should only have a mid iron to a ... you guessed it ... long, bunker protected green.<br />
Even their short holes are challenging. Scanning the back 9 holes on the card, you'll see that the 11th is a par 4 of only 232 metres.<br />
Has to be something tricky with it, I thought. It's not in an Aussie's nature to design an easy golf hole.<br />
This hole is relatively straight forward. You could take a fairway wood off the tee and still only have a short iron to the green. Did I mention that you need to be a mountain goat to get up to the green? The very long, 2-tiered green. If the pin's at the back and you've decided on a club, put it back and add another two and you might get somewhere near the back.<br />
All the holes on the back 9 are challenging. The 17th, a 412 metre par 5, was where I performed a John Daly meltdown. I lost 3 balls on this hole because I knew I was capable of carrying the water. Six shots later, I proved it.<br />
Just for good measure, when I finally got close to the green (in yet another bunker) I sent another ball rocketing into the pond.<br />
I was on to old balls, by this stage.<br />
The 18th is a spectacular 115 metre par 3, straight (and I mean straight) uphill. You'll either be visually intimidated (if you've lost 3 balls on the previous hole) or you'll be inspired to greatness.<br />
For me, it was the latter both times we played. I hit my 5 iron solidly and got the middle of the green, from where I 2-putted.<br />
Great way to finish and more than made up for the previous rubbish.<br />
Caboolture is a great test of golf but don't play it only once. You need to play it at least twice to really appreciate how to play many of the holes.<br />
And also to find replacement balls.<br />
<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-8642473693094022582012-08-17T21:42:00.000-07:002012-08-17T21:42:50.896-07:00The One Ball that Fixes All<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWNngV7DN8xCqQHXJLvb35mnmfVtx6_C6xsI_gvJ9NcW6SctMA-R3dSdxXeEicSK8-UOgFZpsd-gQeAVhX67fWzMZNkU5tIffJFkj3A_UUNfkte9wyFxFatXK_-m0CSGLkW10UJbDbEYO/s1600/huge+gfball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWNngV7DN8xCqQHXJLvb35mnmfVtx6_C6xsI_gvJ9NcW6SctMA-R3dSdxXeEicSK8-UOgFZpsd-gQeAVhX67fWzMZNkU5tIffJFkj3A_UUNfkte9wyFxFatXK_-m0CSGLkW10UJbDbEYO/s320/huge+gfball.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bribie Island Golf Club, Queensland</td></tr>
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At Bribie Island Golf Club they've come up with a golf ball that fixes whatever ails the golfer, but is specifically good for the following:<br />
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1. This ball is guaranteed to fix anyone with a Kevin Na whiffing affliction.<br />
2. If you hate one particular club, or several of them, this is where you punish it/them.<br />
3. You'll never lose this ball in the rough.<br />
4. Impossible to slice or hook this one.<br />
5. Has to be a damn deep pond or lake to make this unretrievable.<br />
6. Slow players a nuisance? Roll this on them from a hilltop and, okay, they'll slow down completely, but you'll have no trouble playing through.<br />
7. Great for retaining key swing thoughts in lessons. Just as you get to the top of your backswing, the top pops off and a pro in swimming togs leaps out and yells 'Keep that right knee flexed!"<br />
8. When you die, you can have your ashes buried here ... providing someone pays your sub every year.<br />
9. You have no trouble keeping your eye on the ball.<br />
10. It makes that hoary old chestnut 'Keep your head down' redundant.Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-86107363641393768362012-08-15T03:20:00.000-07:002012-08-15T03:35:03.175-07:00Palmer Coolum Resort on a Jandal Budget<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Palmer Coolum Resort golf course would not normally feature in a jandal budget golf holiday. However, we were fortunate that Paul, manager of the Alexandra Headland Gardens apartment we're staying at, knew that we were on the lookout for bargain green fees. He brought us a copy of his local paper which mentioned that the Coolum Resort had a special deal for local golfers. $65 for a shared cart, a round of golf, a burger and a beer. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm6EiKl4YBGR5Jjat2FOcZRJ8SoaUjfPSf7XhbIMkzaEfG1B2xU594BlXwxhxBiQpSOPshRGtLCCt7qVHLSsM3ZEvNpXgDehaLJErnF5Sc0MnfwPhvh1p8eHHxopWGTChVm-0ipnod9xc/s1600/13th+back+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnm6EiKl4YBGR5Jjat2FOcZRJ8SoaUjfPSf7XhbIMkzaEfG1B2xU594BlXwxhxBiQpSOPshRGtLCCt7qVHLSsM3ZEvNpXgDehaLJErnF5Sc0MnfwPhvh1p8eHHxopWGTChVm-0ipnod9xc/s320/13th+back+shot.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back towards 13th tee and Mt Coolum</td></tr>
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Considering the green fees alone are usually $115, we leapt at the opportunity of becoming Aussies for one day, so that we could take advantage of such a great offer.</div>
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We practiced our Aussie accents for a couple of hours and then got the best mimic (Fiona) to ring the course and book us in at 8.20 on a Wednesday. Fiona sprinkled liberal amounts of the word 'mate' in her conversation, and avoided any words containing 'i' and got the booking. </div>
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There are a lot of visually intimidating holes on this course, with very few flat fairways and all the hillocks seeming to fall sharply into the water.</div>
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Apart from the ones which fall sharply into bunkers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAWPmtFXDlQuIRX1tr4I0SHi3HsNctIDQv-JL3DoK96ram8-IP8Aizlu0utU0iIohfxkRbdEZkss1DB30mNel1qOAJY9mhmUGCfS7vwHR4iNBls-Ijglm8qeP-azKQuI5HZpHmVPWXOyi/s1600/1st+hole+CMRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAWPmtFXDlQuIRX1tr4I0SHi3HsNctIDQv-JL3DoK96ram8-IP8Aizlu0utU0iIohfxkRbdEZkss1DB30mNel1qOAJY9mhmUGCfS7vwHR4iNBls-Ijglm8qeP-azKQuI5HZpHmVPWXOyi/s320/1st+hole+CMRT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approach to 1st hole</td></tr>
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The course isn't long off the red tees (par 72, 4981 metres) but you need to be very accurate with your driving and also able to handle uneven lies. The greens weren't scary fast but large and undulating. </div>
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The first hole is a par 5 of 433 metres, lots of water on the left, rough on the right and a creek across the fairway about 50 metres short of the green. I didn't realise the creek was there until I was just about in it. That was a very fortunate lay-up and I was on for 4 and had 2 putts for a 6. A respectable score considering it's the 5th shot hole and really, really tight. There is no such thing as easing into the game gently.</div>
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The next hole is a 108 metre par 3 with a bunker stretching across the front. I managed to skirt the bunker and had 2 putts for a 3. Confidence started to grow.</div>
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The next hole was another par 5 with a hazard left and bunkers right and a tipsy fairway. (Tipsy fairway: drunk or sober, you're not going to be able to walk a straight line.) Left of the green was a large pond, which I hoiked my third shot into.<br />
Confidence shattered. Cost me a double bogey, but at least I found the ball. Tried not to think what the grunge it lay in consisted of.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th tee</td></tr>
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The 4th was a very short 274 metre par 4 with more bunkers than a doomsday cult. A superb drive followed by an excellent rescue (gripped down the shaft because I've completely lost confidence in my 5 iron) got me on the green and 2 putts resulted in par.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKxY_YLkDaSjQ-FUnjtGt3Zm8NzFb9zJzwMEuWEwyc9fIQILswEokjlNMTkAy_9thpdDM8j9CRqVPuSPei8xu-_wx7hgfd22T9LRJ4C_jW9dOdz91tUzaBR3Qee5X5hasejuBsapbsWo6/s1600/5th+CMRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKxY_YLkDaSjQ-FUnjtGt3Zm8NzFb9zJzwMEuWEwyc9fIQILswEokjlNMTkAy_9thpdDM8j9CRqVPuSPei8xu-_wx7hgfd22T9LRJ4C_jW9dOdz91tUzaBR3Qee5X5hasejuBsapbsWo6/s320/5th+CMRT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7th tee</td></tr>
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I have expunged the 5th hole from my memory because all seven shots were poor. I blame them on the kangaroo poo my ball bounced in off the tee. Definitely changed the characteristics of the ball. It kept leaping off line and diving into pouches (holes).</div>
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The 7th hole is a little beauty. Elevated tee and severe dogleg left. Only 276 metres but you need to steer your drive close to the trees on the left or you'll end up in the bunkers at the far side of the fairway. Hit a good drive (I'd got rid of the kangaroo poo) and you'll be left with a short iron (7 for me) to the green.</div>
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Easy par.</div>
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Hit the 8th green (par 3, 137 metres) but 3 putted for bogey.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9th tee ... yes, my bum does look big in this</td></tr>
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I'm tempted to call the 9th the signature hole, but you could probably call half the holes signature holes. Par 4, 286 metrres. There didn't seem to be a lot of run on the course because I hit a good drive here, a solid 3 wood and I was still 6 feet short of the green. After which I chunked my chip and 2 putted for bogey. </div>
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Fiona hit the green in two (driver, 3 wood) and sank a 10 ft putt for birdie.</div>
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Fiona 40, Kay 44.</div>
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The 10th is a fiendishly tight 292 metre par 4. Water all the way up the left, and a long bunker just above the water, and bunkers in the landing area if you bail out too much to the right. I hit driver and 7 iron to be 10 feet past the pin ... from where I 3 putted! Damn kangaroo poo again. (Didn't see it, but there's no other reason I could 3 putt from so close.) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11th tee</td></tr>
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The 11th is a par 3 across a wide swathe of water, with a generous bail out area left for beginners and golfers lacking confidence, or those running out of balls. We wondered if there was an equivalent of the Loch Ness Monster here, or a fish with flatulence, as there were large bubbles in the water near the green.</div>
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Turned out to be neither - just a diver gathering balls. I presume the bubbles were from his regulator...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fHbRx_VzDo7y-xblYMmzJq-1mXxUx_yzDxHqC7lwdBqxxQOp568ElX0k05XWkdi6cLBEzOjI-WXQ3uqHZJGmU3NyR1sk4lugtRpzYV0PtTSxmULkg2VzoecniXShSy2YnXos5TGJmNF9/s1600/11th+CMRT+grn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fHbRx_VzDo7y-xblYMmzJq-1mXxUx_yzDxHqC7lwdBqxxQOp568ElX0k05XWkdi6cLBEzOjI-WXQ3uqHZJGmU3NyR1sk4lugtRpzYV0PtTSxmULkg2VzoecniXShSy2YnXos5TGJmNF9/s320/11th+CMRT+grn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12th green</td></tr>
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Loved the 12th hole, a par 5 of 408 metres. In fact, all the par 5s are great tests of accuracy and strategy. The 12th has an elevated tee and you feel like you're hitting into space because the fairway rises up ahead of you, before it and the trees on the sides disappear. Fiona cut her drive and ended up in trees on the right while I hit the best drive of my round and was well down on the flat, just 195 metres from the hole. Fiona had a difficult chip out and ended up with double bogey. Driving the fairway is a must, on this hole.</div>
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There's a large pond on the left to catch duffs and hooks and a bunker in front of the green to catch those who think they can hit the ball further than they can (99% of golfers). I hit a solid 3 wood and then played a nice half wedge on to the green and ... bloody well 3 putted again. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWGDHCtMtOQoFmCzVXwjpxqv_ooJ6LY9sU6U-00N-JBcikOZhp_JlhVmux1EaRc5OKkRu3QsawERUg1IE0CWPywwsvP0c94ZqDnTym4SmWXWw7OY6UjC1S8lyhjeBrze9N84wOzLiW3sw/s1600/13th+CMRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWGDHCtMtOQoFmCzVXwjpxqv_ooJ6LY9sU6U-00N-JBcikOZhp_JlhVmux1EaRc5OKkRu3QsawERUg1IE0CWPywwsvP0c94ZqDnTym4SmWXWw7OY6UjC1S8lyhjeBrze9N84wOzLiW3sw/s320/13th+CMRT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13th tee, forwards</td></tr>
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The 13th hole is a 295 metre par 4 and picturesque both forwards and backwards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFbHt50WNxjgiAV75EQZ7bAeEy_ADs2V_XJMYDqCC2uixkGaxSYjJ6Bu_bTtr0bpyOj4lgcuRQ8_B8Ec-S16CPpmfosL6U_AllZqILwIGGG2bG8cuBDhJJ1tzdC_jHv1j_LB1iOOwR5tF/s1600/13th+CMRT+2nd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFbHt50WNxjgiAV75EQZ7bAeEy_ADs2V_XJMYDqCC2uixkGaxSYjJ6Bu_bTtr0bpyOj4lgcuRQ8_B8Ec-S16CPpmfosL6U_AllZqILwIGGG2bG8cuBDhJJ1tzdC_jHv1j_LB1iOOwR5tF/s320/13th+CMRT+2nd.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13th hole, backwards</td></tr>
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Because there's water all the way along the left, and the tee is situated so you have to carry some of the water, you may subconsciously bail out right. And end up where I did, (pictured above). </div>
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Sometimes, short of the bunker is not good.
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Finally we have the 18th, a 322 metre par 4. Once again, a strategically placed bunker means you can't bail out right too far from the water all the way up the left. Manage a well-placed drive and you're faced with a very narrow entrance to an undulating green in front of the clubhouse. Which also has a bunker protecting the green, front right.</div>
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Judging by the way the four of us played the 18th, the outside dining area is popular because of the entertainment provided by wayward golfers. Tough finishing hole, but at least the bar is only a hop, skip and a jump away.</div>
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Damn kangaroos. They've invaded my writing as well.</div>
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Fiona 82. Kay 87. I had to drive home.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaiG1bPKFgyZBZCLCUJT3ViAXp5NyhxNpSNRR8P3p9Ry9kWCKoEjedFPhWIH3lxFxCHThwmm0xfnwE_YB-hhe_ZSO7Iosh3UWJmUYN2iDBk6AkJVOn6bFQKofXX2rXDyaq9WeK8kaa6tJ/s1600/18th+CMRT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaiG1bPKFgyZBZCLCUJT3ViAXp5NyhxNpSNRR8P3p9Ry9kWCKoEjedFPhWIH3lxFxCHThwmm0xfnwE_YB-hhe_ZSO7Iosh3UWJmUYN2iDBk6AkJVOn6bFQKofXX2rXDyaq9WeK8kaa6tJ/s320/18th+CMRT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18th tee</td></tr>
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Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-49519829309690749402012-08-14T03:12:00.002-07:002012-08-14T03:12:54.745-07:00The Importance of Strategy in Golf<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wHP-sj0O_RoKaYhVCfgKLX8DaI7imW0tFpiVRFVJx4ao00jJA93a_pAMK0nnhr9BzBLuaYTJFioIoy3w1245Hkks09A57E0tE2r1rYIVP8hzgGHrv9ECCgYFTAxoaLAqBdiRbOGNFgb2/s1600/coolum+fiona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wHP-sj0O_RoKaYhVCfgKLX8DaI7imW0tFpiVRFVJx4ao00jJA93a_pAMK0nnhr9BzBLuaYTJFioIoy3w1245Hkks09A57E0tE2r1rYIVP8hzgGHrv9ECCgYFTAxoaLAqBdiRbOGNFgb2/s320/coolum+fiona.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13th green, strategically placed trees in front of green</td></tr>
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<div>
The Mount Coolum golf course is only 20 minutes from our flat and, although not particularly long at 5166 metres (par 72), it's tight and demands accuracy off the tee.</div>
We love this course because every hole is different and strategy plays a big part in scoring well.<br />
Strategy also played a big part in Mt Coolum being the golf course we play most often while on our jandal budget golfing holiday.<br />
To all the Kapitit Coast golfers who missed out on their July copy of Pacific Golfer, I apologise. They had an article on Sunshine Coast golfing which included a voucher for Mt Coolum, pay one green fee and get one free.<br />
So I collected 27 copies, which covered most of our time on the Sunshine Coast. We'd managed to disguise our appearance and accents 12 times but alas, I blew our cover yesterday by winning the women's stableford section in the Mt Coolum pro-am.<br />
No more 2 for 1 green fees, but the $75 pro shop voucher and golf balls for nearest the pin makes up for that.<br />
The Mt Coolum pro-am is part of the Sunshine Coast mini tour. There were several kiwi pros playing in it, as well as one woman and the Aussie pros. The pros were playing for a purse of about $10,000 of which the winner gets about $1,800.<br />
We paid $30 to enter the tournament and played in the morning round, teeing off at 7.00 in a shotgun start. The afternoon golfers teed off at 12.00 and, with temperatures getting up to 27 degrees, we were more than happy to get up at 5.15 to meet our tee time.<br />
Our pro was Ryan Fowler (no relation to Peter Fowler, on the seniors tour) and it was his first year on the circuit. Unfortuately, he didn't have a great day, scoring 82. We thoroughly enjoyed his company and, in spite of his score, saw him play some great golf shots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7E2_en4JnAfat5enGKhxJxRIPV7e4VVgiGjKpeAEKn-OEaqLp62N37T8yhvxARY-Sg9FZ4PRg2kkzUERDcAQ5rz3oEkEK-8xjV935_EkM9trOxvbOl_ZWUuZqd9qACCF2oHSPGBBlCdkc/s1600/ryan+pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7E2_en4JnAfat5enGKhxJxRIPV7e4VVgiGjKpeAEKn-OEaqLp62N37T8yhvxARY-Sg9FZ4PRg2kkzUERDcAQ5rz3oEkEK-8xjV935_EkM9trOxvbOl_ZWUuZqd9qACCF2oHSPGBBlCdkc/s320/ryan+pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan Fowler on the 12th tee</td></tr>
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We started on the 16th, a par 3 of 103 metres, bunkers front left and right of a very narrow sloping green. I hit just short of the green but had an easy chip and one putt for par.<br />
The pro was short and left, while Fiona was short and right. Both had difficult chips so ended up chipping and 2 putting for bogey.<br />
On this course, it's really important to 'miss' in the right spot, or you're faced with a Phil Mickelson flop shot, requiring pinpoint accuracy.<br />
Not a lot of amateurs (or mini tour pros) have that shot.<br />
The next hole, the 17th, is a 398 metre par 5 - a classic 'risk and reward' hole. There are fairway bunkers on the left, just where a good drive would finish, and there's a water hazard opposite. If you manage to drive the fairway, you are then faced with a decision. Lay up short of the pond and then play a mid to short iron across the pond on to the sloping, bunker protected green, or take the chicken way to the left of the pond and trees, from where you'll play only a wedge or 9 iron to the green.<br />
I went the chicken way and got a par. The other two went across the pond (Fiona accidentally) scoring triple bogey and the pro scoring bogey.<br />
I speak fluent chicken (having owned chooks when a child) so tend to favour chicken golf strategy.<br />
Seventeen out of the eighteen greens are raised, and many of them are narrow, so if you don't play straight irons, you'd better have a solid chipping and pitching game.<br />
A couple of the par 5s also favour strategy over power. The 4th is 447 metres with a ditch crossing the fairway precisely where a good drive would end so 3 wood off the tee is the best option. However, this means you've got 2 long shots to get to the green in regulation so you need a solid 2nd shot to give you less than a 3 wood to the green. If you're struggling with your fairway woods, like me, you have to weigh up whether to go for regulation or be happy to hit it in four and settle for 2 stbfd points (it's the number 2 stroke hole).<br />
Unfortunately, I didn't listen to my inner chicken and my 3 wood shot got as much height as my putter stroke. How the ball managed to hit the ditch bank and stagger forward, I don't know. Unfortunately, I then went into the hazard on the right, took a penalty, went into the greenside bunker and ended up with an 8.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGHa7BnphcU_1oKaRBSCDE16LCPFlUo28xAT22pprDAoRyuUOhF1UsjcRRtXXjcvNDtv3Nufjg3ZSFSSI9z8PMDJyt5dWn8HKtLbGlz4HtebBzPRTNDvRW9loENbFfl3BFkt57sDXVrM8/s1600/kay+coolum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGHa7BnphcU_1oKaRBSCDE16LCPFlUo28xAT22pprDAoRyuUOhF1UsjcRRtXXjcvNDtv3Nufjg3ZSFSSI9z8PMDJyt5dWn8HKtLbGlz4HtebBzPRTNDvRW9loENbFfl3BFkt57sDXVrM8/s320/kay+coolum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">13th fairway, showing fairway trees</td></tr>
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The 6th is a 447 metre par 5 with a wide ditch just past a good drive's finish. Fiona and I both drove to within 20 metres of the ditch. The lies weren't perfect so my inner chicken squawked and I took out my 6 iron for the second shot.<br />
Fiona's only contact with chicken is when it's stir-fried or roasted. She chose a 5 wood.<br />
My ball flew straight over the ditch and straight up the fairway to 104 metres from the green.<br />
Fiona's ball flew like a flying fish - straight into the watery ditch.<br />
Unfortunately, I 3 putted for a 6. For good measure, Fiona threw in a shank by the green and ended up with an 8.<br />
It is very, very easy to score triple bogey on these par 5s.<br />
The 13th is yet another wonderful par 5 of 423 metres. It's a double dogleg with a generous area for your drive. However, the closer you get to the green, the tighter the shot and, probably, your grip. For your second shot, there's a wide area of rough on the left and a lateral hazard on your right. Then, for good measure, there are two trees on the left of the fairway, at about your second shot's finish. Another 80 or so metres on, there are another two trees about 50 metres short of the green, dead centre.<br />
This hole may look easier than the other par 5s but, trust me, it isn't.<br />
Unless you copy my strategy for the hole, when we played in the pro-am. Here's what you do: Slice your drive so that you end up in the sandy area just beside the lateral hazard (pond). Listen to your inner chicken and don't go for the fairway wood because the lie is bare. Take out your 23 degree rescue club and play a solid shot into the rough on the left. This leaves you a hell of a long way short of the green, but the first lot of fairway trees are close and the second lot are within reach too.<br />
Take your 3 wood and play a slice so that the ball goes left of the first lot of trees and curls to the right of the second group, leaving you 45 metres short of the raised green.<br />
Pitch ... or bump and run?<br />
Take the percentage shot. Bump and run. Aim it about 15 feet to the right of the pin, to take the curve of the green into account. Hit a low 9 iron into the bank and watch as it jumps up on to the green and curves beautifully around and then ... disappears into the hole for a 4 for 4 points.<br />
At the end of the round, I'd managed 33 points off a 9 handicap, which I was reasonably happy with. The greens were fast and the greenkeeper had many of the pins teetering on the edge of slopes, or the far side of the greens.<br />
Fiona had her worst game of golf since arriving in Australia, so I didn't have to drive home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M7za2zyaBmIV-j8lwhI07Mk6hBeUrnxMZFZwSN_MGizFbjAlrW2EErVbagCuuoC0gGKWR7TbOF3ayud2dfnairXVA8BsaVGX8GZ7tfPyhmVinvGBwpWDP24J8YsOoyXufnzJOBnvvqA6/s1600/fiona+mower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M7za2zyaBmIV-j8lwhI07Mk6hBeUrnxMZFZwSN_MGizFbjAlrW2EErVbagCuuoC0gGKWR7TbOF3ayud2dfnairXVA8BsaVGX8GZ7tfPyhmVinvGBwpWDP24J8YsOoyXufnzJOBnvvqA6/s320/fiona+mower.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">15th tee, Fiona with her card-shredder</td></tr>
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<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-14094743557916903302012-08-11T01:27:00.001-07:002012-08-11T01:27:33.445-07:00Free Golf LessonTo be a good golfer, you need good imagination.<br />At Caboolture Golf Club, they encourage golfers to use their imagination, starting on the third tee (pictured below).<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/102314221422632058552/ScrapbookPhotos#5775329352463182770'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HRHs0MJuWxs26L48JSC_M3EfaXDoq7Tx78Qzx-21HR5POBxFKJ023iWeN4QBqNpGrg40jeXKFZP9WUWTDMPzeX5DX3Q-1pfMhkOlJztX_gumsKZbLOIMfxIHhF6s27DaVxiy6mtqVl9w/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The best non-coarse-language saying after a poor drive wins a free T-shirt. Here are some of the finalists:<br />1. May this driver be recycled and sent to Mars as part of the next Curiosity rover.<br />2. Take that! You son of a sewing machine!<br />3. Take that! You son of a treadle sewing machine!<br />4. You rotten, stinking, festering pustule of a driver on a baboon's bare bum!<br />5. Bother.<br /><br /><br />Agonising Golf and More Agonising Golf ebooks available<br />from smashwords.com<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-17056859749353222792012-08-07T17:25:00.002-07:002012-08-07T17:29:32.428-07:00Why Mt Tongariro Erupted<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6hom-5NtgsB1t38WZJ4sOnIzxtMy75uXiRGuGEgx8s1c2UmKeRdZCVMz53FUHrkepWduNAZFluMP-2tSfbd8PVUSMOkcHIyLkm0FATxNJtAVcHQIiNyjeD6qLDEv5cDcmDjiN8rU2Sf2/s1600/Mountain+Mayhem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6hom-5NtgsB1t38WZJ4sOnIzxtMy75uXiRGuGEgx8s1c2UmKeRdZCVMz53FUHrkepWduNAZFluMP-2tSfbd8PVUSMOkcHIyLkm0FATxNJtAVcHQIiNyjeD6qLDEv5cDcmDjiN8rU2Sf2/s320/Mountain+Mayhem.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Zealand volcano erupts!</td></tr>
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Did Mt Tongariro volcano erupt because of steam build-up?</div>
Did it erupt because of molten magma pushing its way to the top?<br />
No, it didn't!<br />
Well, yes it did ... sort of.<br />
But ... there is another stronger reason for the eruption.<br />
A reason that very few people are aware of.<br />
Now you can find out the real reason for the eruption...<br />
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Go to <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/204365" target="_blank">www.smashwords.com/books/view/204365</a> and all will be revealed when you read 'Mountain Mayhem'.Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-48332596934210881682012-08-06T02:29:00.000-07:002012-08-06T02:53:18.911-07:00Tanawha Valley GolfTanawha Valley golf course (1122 metres, par 27) is the most picturesque course we've played since arriving on the Sunshine Coast. It's a 9-hole par 3 course with holes from 94 to 176 metres, so you can try out just about every club off the tee.<br />
Green fees are $15 for 18 holes (Mon-Fri) $22 on weekends. If you tee off after 3, you can play as many holes as you like for $10.<br />
There are elevated tees, elevated greens, bush, streams, excellent bunkers (which is unusual for par 3 courses, we've found) and it'll hold your interest from go to whoa.<br />
A picture's worth a thousand words (the exchange rate will make that around 1300 words for kiwis) so I'll make this blog a photo essay.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtp-mQtZyI1qaM5kh4mCz3TpguMXfHoIpYImuxpHb7Z9bZtGNq5iRcGMJ6_5sX7Rn6xB-p1U147VZIqAtR67Q6kMpInEsiaGp8hgkwzHd5mRR2HgJR-Oz1_6KFvUIsr2oQamL1_1p8B83E/s1600/Tanawha+1+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtp-mQtZyI1qaM5kh4mCz3TpguMXfHoIpYImuxpHb7Z9bZtGNq5iRcGMJ6_5sX7Rn6xB-p1U147VZIqAtR67Q6kMpInEsiaGp8hgkwzHd5mRR2HgJR-Oz1_6KFvUIsr2oQamL1_1p8B83E/s320/Tanawha+1+tee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st tee at Tanawha</td></tr>
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The first hole is 166 metres. Beautifully framed hole, bunker to the right of the uphill green. Fiona hit 3-wood and chipped and 1-putted for par. I hit driver left through a garden, whacked a three-quarter wedge through the green, chipped and 2-putted for double bogey.<br />
I'm getting a lot of practice at shrugging off a bad start.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYpiBw5lEGHbwbU4_y64UUJoGD3vL5gGptx07LJSSLBSvC8KxCLlkBdrOjVy9a-spipZwZo02GsMXfsDp8fVPhSET-C229si95InbiTZzlVSYsghlgzjAlk4HbBFMHDNALRC4W5QfW8S8/s1600/Tanawha+2+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYpiBw5lEGHbwbU4_y64UUJoGD3vL5gGptx07LJSSLBSvC8KxCLlkBdrOjVy9a-spipZwZo02GsMXfsDp8fVPhSET-C229si95InbiTZzlVSYsghlgzjAlk4HbBFMHDNALRC4W5QfW8S8/s320/Tanawha+2+green.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd green</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Second hole, 103 metres. Fiona 3, Kay 4.<br />
Sigh...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichu-O6pgS8AE_-q_oBbpiAuT0DrPssAAk737Ur4714vN9XUvN9-uQW6RRsL0HGRvxlAGcIuSvW7EGk_s3o_984_YK7EDMZlQs7DMNaWNTutRaZek6eCQeiG0zO0NHsWKC6MGGHbiBn5Js/s1600/Tanawha+3+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichu-O6pgS8AE_-q_oBbpiAuT0DrPssAAk737Ur4714vN9XUvN9-uQW6RRsL0HGRvxlAGcIuSvW7EGk_s3o_984_YK7EDMZlQs7DMNaWNTutRaZek6eCQeiG0zO0NHsWKC6MGGHbiBn5Js/s320/Tanawha+3+tee.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd tee, yep the hole is as narrow as it looks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Third hole is135 metres but uphill the whole way and with a large bunker across the front of the green. This is the only par 3 where I've had to have a rest getting to the green. (It's way steeper than it looks in the photo - the rest half way couldn't possibly be a reflection on my fitness.) Fiona 3 and Kay 3.<br />
Fourth hole is 94 metres and we both hit the green and 2-putted for par 3s.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6sSyY5gieg-2ZXUUtuMOYslTnREL1s1ZT6h7_6QAutR3h2_mkh3gi-Aix_8e0j8J6p2Kfz1hLVbEII-EhYKm8GZdRdiXVepUyxsBCZf-R_dBwD2wXci3u_8mA1qEOGC_lbEGOiDJFiLL/s1600/Tanawha+5+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6sSyY5gieg-2ZXUUtuMOYslTnREL1s1ZT6h7_6QAutR3h2_mkh3gi-Aix_8e0j8J6p2Kfz1hLVbEII-EhYKm8GZdRdiXVepUyxsBCZf-R_dBwD2wXci3u_8mA1qEOGC_lbEGOiDJFiLL/s320/Tanawha+5+tee.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5th tee, it's a long, loooong way down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The 5th hole is spectacular. 128 metres long and it must be at least 128 metres downwards as well. Water and bunker right, strategically placed tree left. Narrow downhill green. We both hit 6 iron, but Fiona hit the green and 2-putted for par. I missed left but chipped and 1-putted for par.<br />
I'm three shots behind with four holes to go.<br />
The 6th is usually 114 metres but is presently using a temporary green so is only about 84 metres. (If we'd read the local rules board before we went out, we'd have realised that and not overclubbed. We both scored 4 on this hole.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zNxvvHL62FakCcUMvB-zRT8i00FEF9UP8RPfVb9svG_S7oU3QAdxh9EamsnnrWcPnybpz26FrSkb7vgUSGxH6edRZu-FMaWkShSB85HSms_meKAELL-vsNoXUDXThpP0611OsW8zFm3Z/s1600/Tanawha+7+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zNxvvHL62FakCcUMvB-zRT8i00FEF9UP8RPfVb9svG_S7oU3QAdxh9EamsnnrWcPnybpz26FrSkb7vgUSGxH6edRZu-FMaWkShSB85HSms_meKAELL-vsNoXUDXThpP0611OsW8zFm3Z/s320/Tanawha+7+tee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7th tee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The 7th is only 96 metres. Fiona went first and was short with her 9 iron so I took my 8 and ended up pin high. Easy 2-putt for par while Fiona chipped and 2-putted for a bogey. One good thing about all the rain they've had here - you can just throw the ball right at the pin and it'll stop dead. They barely roll, even when it's downhill.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWM5Vsba-fdFw2jdVtk-6MANvrCjAcPV1TgEqw2JNFCWCJbLMwJuViJ23wU4AmbvGoPHAgJJBRZjfwDBHiB8bv_tKeo_A-18OYJDSfzwf_BNcgUSX1vWhUlrE1JTMmDs4JNV3Bdix5vmb/s1600/Tanawha+8+tee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWM5Vsba-fdFw2jdVtk-6MANvrCjAcPV1TgEqw2JNFCWCJbLMwJuViJ23wU4AmbvGoPHAgJJBRZjfwDBHiB8bv_tKeo_A-18OYJDSfzwf_BNcgUSX1vWhUlrE1JTMmDs4JNV3Bdix5vmb/s320/Tanawha+8+tee.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8th tee, larrup the driver</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yay! Finally I have the honour on a tee, with just 2 holes to go.<br />
The 8th hole is a straight forward 176 metres. After the previous shorter holes, the green looks a long way away. As there's no run, I decide to go for the driver ... especially as I hit it straighter than my 3 wood anyway.<br />
The previous 7 holes must have been a great warm-up because I absolutely smoked my driver (you can see the ball in the photo, headed straight for the flag). It looked like it might have gone through the green so I was hoping there was no trouble at the back.<br />
The pressure was obviously getting to Fiona (only 2 shots ahead now) as she blocked her drive into the gum trees. However, it only hit leaves and kept going, but it was still about 30 metres short.<br />
Sure enough, my drive had gone through the green but only a few metres.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkw2k5HU25R1CkD1BqTmyesLFGFSf5r8S3Ll4_XSaExbvrXaw-4y100HRevibfgYeI9AY8-h3_wE0D_Y3wVj64sl7VulzjyMKWceHtE8tbf7IOmiRSmZeVbhsG1vQHDB3OR_V7Mt5hwJd/s1600/Tanawha+8+green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkw2k5HU25R1CkD1BqTmyesLFGFSf5r8S3Ll4_XSaExbvrXaw-4y100HRevibfgYeI9AY8-h3_wE0D_Y3wVj64sl7VulzjyMKWceHtE8tbf7IOmiRSmZeVbhsG1vQHDB3OR_V7Mt5hwJd/s320/Tanawha+8+green.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8th green, framed by majestic gum trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I could see the sweat on Fiona's brow as she contemplated her shot to the green. She was only 2 shots ahead of me, and I was chipping better than a fish 'n' chip shop navvy.<br />
Fiona left her pitch short of the green.<br />
What a shame.<br />
I chipped to 2 inches from the hole. Easy 3.<br />
Fiona had another chip and putted for a 4.<br />
McBride leads Wall by 1 shot.<br />
The final hole is 117 metres, uphill. Bunker right, considerable fall-off on the left. I went down the shaft of my rescue club ... and missed right, just behind the bunker. Fiona hit the green, but on the left so her ball rolled a couple of feet off the green.<br />
The green slopes considerably from back to front so I aimed well above the pin. The only good thing about the shot was that it stayed on the green. Fiona decided to putt from just off the green and left it on the green but short.<br />
We both faced difficult side putts on a slope. Tricky to read when you know the green and nearly impossible when you don't.<br />
What can I say? Fiona 3 putted for a double bogey while I got down in 2.<br />
Squared match. We both shot 32, 5 over par.<br />
The temperature was climbing so we decided not to go around again. It was time for icecreams at The Old Stable, beside the clubhouse.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryCHy_xeCzTO0xeG0cU5kdZqNColtxurdFKewDmHOxbW259FusnuuPJelE4V-MPXGRt1oCcb-S2S3pzHjBlf9kq8bdAMrBGnF6LSL5MZWQVD7UwejwkfNGQrkAbfSUirKv-8I06Gwd_sg/s1600/old+grey+mares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryCHy_xeCzTO0xeG0cU5kdZqNColtxurdFKewDmHOxbW259FusnuuPJelE4V-MPXGRt1oCcb-S2S3pzHjBlf9kq8bdAMrBGnF6LSL5MZWQVD7UwejwkfNGQrkAbfSUirKv-8I06Gwd_sg/s320/old+grey+mares.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old grey mares...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Tanawha golf course is wonderful value for money. It was a Saturday and we didn't have to book a tee time. We just rolled up at about 11.00 am and walked straight on to the tee. We had no one pushing us and no one holding us up. We would recommend this course to golfers of every standard.<br />
And, if you've ever fancied owning your own golf course in Queensland, you're in luck. This one's for sale.<br />
For $2,999,500.00 you need never pay green fees again.Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-79613206162074162552012-08-04T03:24:00.001-07:002012-08-04T03:31:30.632-07:00Essential Tips for Planning Your Sunshine Coast Golf TripTo fully enjoy your Sunshine Coast Golf trip on a Jandal Budget you must get the planning right. Here's what you do.<br />
1. Choose a calming location such as Alexandra Headlands Gardens, at Alexandra Headlands. Gather your flyers, NZ golf magazine green fee vouchers and Aussie golf magazines and set yourself up here:
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUNXWylwiV7GhE_5dJr8o91htLAf_AVsbopUlnO2m-kE_i7sZefTIiQ9ehtf-ttACg9RD7eafnXd_xKVK5uN_IuoZ1I3iyXhi6UpdqMYhnDL2YT6uJYJflikp-ufUOcsjPKIsR7kFZ7aG/s1600/planning+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUNXWylwiV7GhE_5dJr8o91htLAf_AVsbopUlnO2m-kE_i7sZefTIiQ9ehtf-ttACg9RD7eafnXd_xKVK5uN_IuoZ1I3iyXhi6UpdqMYhnDL2YT6uJYJflikp-ufUOcsjPKIsR7kFZ7aG/s320/planning+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Researching by the pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(Note the address position - relaxed and perfectly balanced.)<br />
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<div>
2. Timing is everything with successful planning. Don't rush your tempo. Make sure you pace yourself or you'll exhaust yourself before the finish:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PJjmsiPcOYxliF6gm5mj7WA8aTPoSeZSzV9OVoXAZSRwih1rQ0kvv4GCEzkF_U1YBgykI2-v1JY_0DcktvSbIxYDgQS_Rvf4GFnXH1ddKhuWmnA7hgM8MHDIojr2fzEVXzgT826mCCNu/s1600/planning+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PJjmsiPcOYxliF6gm5mj7WA8aTPoSeZSzV9OVoXAZSRwih1rQ0kvv4GCEzkF_U1YBgykI2-v1JY_0DcktvSbIxYDgQS_Rvf4GFnXH1ddKhuWmnA7hgM8MHDIojr2fzEVXzgT826mCCNu/s320/planning+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect timing = perfect planning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
(Note address position now - relaxed but ready to give that planning everything.)</div>
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3. Once you've selected your special green fee deals from mags, etc, it's time to get into the modern age and go online to iseekgolf.com. This is where you'll get daily deals on cheap green fees, at selected clubs. At this stage, you must watch your hydration. Remember, it's a heck of a lot hotter in Queensland in August than anywhere in New Zealand:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv09E0LQ7g5mg2dJPztHcyFYuIM2TuaIYH87TpaNO9JxpfVvn2e-7jUEtWa0miz1MbscvHfjqQi0pc1aDqEsIiPF1J9ADw7SPKMb4a7cBBhcLN3ogme8khsIG0HP1dlueqn1HTJk8WYE8Z/s1600/planning+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv09E0LQ7g5mg2dJPztHcyFYuIM2TuaIYH87TpaNO9JxpfVvn2e-7jUEtWa0miz1MbscvHfjqQi0pc1aDqEsIiPF1J9ADw7SPKMb4a7cBBhcLN3ogme8khsIG0HP1dlueqn1HTJk8WYE8Z/s320/planning+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NZ wine for the best hydration</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
(It's often a good idea to switch to a foursomes format, at this stage, to avoid any Tiger Woods situations. (We're talking 'dumping of caddy' here, not the other...))</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
4. It's most important to 'warm down' after your planning. This is what we do, here at Alexandra Headland Gardens:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74Zo_PU9P0UNP6lrhrSnqwtdx6Pb4SWZ7rAyJrDgppV4t1U5FkzTWsi_p-ls65h9yUsSz9cxRj2jxk4shVS_aZLxwr38IEcwGz4IWvonalbQC5mR-yNLE-x1jCBV0LKfhVsdD_hcCXZFd/s1600/planning+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74Zo_PU9P0UNP6lrhrSnqwtdx6Pb4SWZ7rAyJrDgppV4t1U5FkzTWsi_p-ls65h9yUsSz9cxRj2jxk4shVS_aZLxwr38IEcwGz4IWvonalbQC5mR-yNLE-x1jCBV0LKfhVsdD_hcCXZFd/s320/planning+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best spa pool on Sunshine Coast</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Repeat steps 1 - 4 for each day's golf.</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
No matter how fit you are, DON'T, I repeat, DON'T try and plan your golf for your entire holiday, all at once.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Such strenuous activity will have you completing step 4, but unable to get out of it.</div>
Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-31976886381793542802012-07-31T20:07:00.000-07:002012-07-31T20:07:11.057-07:00Jandal Budget Golf<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided to start our Aussie golf trip on the Gold Coast,
rather than going straight to the Sunshine Coast, so that we could play Ocean
Shores Country Club again. We played it last year and just loved it and thought
it was excellent value for money.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4WN3oFIz_d57x38JhamUgd7GgOsGcmTB5IdyzgKF_3BHu7TX0BXODXYwmh-nNd2cfYrvt3hEa8IZiS2nMCX-MsXmmc5FCBkvFcymTrUipW_UzaTI4eQCROMSf1X2dxWXoan_6pviwtCg/s1600/Ocean+Sh+chip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4WN3oFIz_d57x38JhamUgd7GgOsGcmTB5IdyzgKF_3BHu7TX0BXODXYwmh-nNd2cfYrvt3hEa8IZiS2nMCX-MsXmmc5FCBkvFcymTrUipW_UzaTI4eQCROMSf1X2dxWXoan_6pviwtCg/s320/Ocean+Sh+chip.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue sky golf at Ocean Shores</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We got a copy of The Golfer, a free golf magazine, on our
first day here. Most golf courses have them available in their pro shops. It
often has special green fee deals and, sure enough, Ocean Shores were offering
the same deal as last year - 18 holes, shared cart and lunch for $49. We quoted
the ad when we rang and got a tee time on Sunday afternoon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had the free lunch before we played (starting to get sick
of bacon sandwiches so it was well-timed) and were assured that although we
were behind two fours, it wouldn’t be too slow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We believed the starter, until we counted six players on the
first green we played (we started on the 10th). By the end of the round, we
were convinced that they were the six SLOWEST players in the club, playing
together. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sure the dire pace of play was what helped Fiona beat
me, at last.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or it could have been my four 3-putts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Normally such a slow round would colour your judgement
against the course but ... this course is a great test of golf. It’s got
everything. Lots of well-placed large bunkers, strategically placed water (both
in front of greens and beside fairways), elevated tees, large greens (not too
heavily undulated).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Members who wouldn’t know golf etiquette if it bit them on
the bum.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And don’t tell me that a two doesn’t have any rights on a
golf course. It has a hell of a lot more rights than a six! (No, I’m not bitter
and twisted about it - I was born this way.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re going to play Ocean Shores, sharpen your sand
wedge. (It’s easier to bury in a tree, that way.) Or, at least sharpen your
bunker skills by watching the Ms Kallas-Way bunker tip on YouTube. I spent an
awful lot of time ‘showing the crab the view’ and managed to get up and down
from greenside bunkers a couple of times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several of the greens are protected by bunkers, and when I
say ‘protected’ I mean, as in Fort Knox protected, i.e. there’s generally only a
wee gap of 3 feet between front bunkers. So forget about running your shot on
to those par 4s and 5s. You’re going to have to play a lofted shot on to the
green, often with a long iron or rescue club.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I decided I’d adopt a different approach to today’s round
and be more aggressive than I had been. When I’m not hitting the ball well, I
tend to take bail-out options and go for the fat part of the green rather than
the pin. However, I’m starting to hit the ball well again so I decided to go
for my shots.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all, it’s such a buzz when you pull off a good shot
over water and ... I’m 4 balls ahead of Fiona as I haven’t lost any, yet.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUYdAXsUK6nPqEmNPeS1ApWcNbYh7Se4i_J6jnaBZ0XSwZodypOD0KjGMsqcD9gHyg_zAOxOzmclMf6SVvUcDrUvIJvnNRNJN2KLXn-CErPrMkvn660NqlcNgbW5DDDog58F4q2IS8Auc/s1600/Ocean+Shores+par+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUYdAXsUK6nPqEmNPeS1ApWcNbYh7Se4i_J6jnaBZ0XSwZodypOD0KjGMsqcD9gHyg_zAOxOzmclMf6SVvUcDrUvIJvnNRNJN2KLXn-CErPrMkvn660NqlcNgbW5DDDog58F4q2IS8Auc/s320/Ocean+Shores+par+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12th hole Ocean Shores Country Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 12th hole is a 163 metre par 3, with water all the way
up the right and cutting in front of the green. You have to carry your tee shot
147 metres, over the hazard, or fade it from the right, or bail out right.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year my tee-shots were dreadful (weak slicing) so I
played chicken golf and bailed out short right. This year I’m hitting my
tee-shots as well as ever so I went for the pin. I carried the water but hit
the bank of the hazard and popped up just short of the green. (Due to the
extremely wet winter they’ve had, there is absolutely no run on any of these
courses.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had an easy chip and one putt for par. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s nothing like positive reinforcement at the start of
your round to make you feel great about the day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s nothing like adding up your score after 9 to deflate
that feeling. 43, bugger.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fiona scored 45 so I had a 2-shot lead.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 3rd hole was my favourite. A bunker covers most of the
front of the green, but the hole measures only 96 metres so you’re playing a
short iron. Because the bunker has a high lip, you can’t see the bottom of the
flag. But there’s a bunker protecting the back of the green so you can’t bail
out long.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided on 9-irons. Fiona went first and hit hers
solidly. We were surprised when her ball landed on top of the bunker lip.
Fortunately, it had enough momentum to go forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I changed to my 8-iron and couldn’t have hit it any better,
but we didn’t know whether it was good or bad because we couldn’t see the
green. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So it was nice to get up to the green and see my ball just
10 inches left of the hole.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Easy birdie. Fiona chipped and one-putted for par and, at
this stage, led by one, thanks to a 3-putt double bogey and bogey by me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next hole was a dogleg par 5 of only 385 metres but you
have to lay up off the tee because of a drain across the fairway. Second shot
has to miss a large pond left and bunker right and then you’re playing your 3rd
to a looooong green.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which I 3-putted. (Should have sharpened my putter. Those
trees were looking really inviting.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next hole, par 4, 296 metres, required a good drive to
give you a comfortable shot over yet another drain in front of the green. Fiona’s
rescue club left her just short of the green and I was just ahead of her so
used the same club. And put it into yet another greenside bunker.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Show the crab the view,” I told myself, and put the ball a
foot from the hole.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2ywn-ozvL_J_arCw8atUCy35sj-2UWO847yaaQhxnVh3a5Vt9avqiCQMFve1cPyhsXutSORmrkquBgPoHt_EZVnM-MlyU9OntilnML8Yw-UkdNpsmQCB9a1fed4X0eb4Hl2nzGa0hRfb/s1600/Ocean+Sh+Fiona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf2ywn-ozvL_J_arCw8atUCy35sj-2UWO847yaaQhxnVh3a5Vt9avqiCQMFve1cPyhsXutSORmrkquBgPoHt_EZVnM-MlyU9OntilnML8Yw-UkdNpsmQCB9a1fed4X0eb4Hl2nzGa0hRfb/s320/Ocean+Sh+Fiona.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow gaps between front bunkers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not keen on the greens here, but I love their bunkers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That might be because I’m spending a lot of time in them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finished our round in the dark but, alas, it wasn’t dark
enough to obscure our scores.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fiona 84, Kay 86.</div>
Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-69448985532855443112012-07-28T15:13:00.001-07:002012-07-28T15:13:04.749-07:00The Problem with Aussie Golf Caddies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pQIqiQyut58wwRPUTmhrOaewGD3lrQHkqPO77d9X6ysbLmojfVlmF13e8xxMkZB9vr4n-sl338qARUzutOC-KtbvRvIGDoOqD-foKIjL7q0GCCLZ5Ma8_x8mFv4i0aMtC17CTQww7oMO/s1600/kangaroo+joey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pQIqiQyut58wwRPUTmhrOaewGD3lrQHkqPO77d9X6ysbLmojfVlmF13e8xxMkZB9vr4n-sl338qARUzutOC-KtbvRvIGDoOqD-foKIjL7q0GCCLZ5Ma8_x8mFv4i0aMtC17CTQww7oMO/s320/kangaroo+joey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
HAVE YOU REARRANGED MY GOLF CLUBS AGAIN?</div>
Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-62560164177304768982012-07-27T19:58:00.000-07:002012-07-27T20:01:44.170-07:00Gold Coast Country Club, Queensland<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui1F7EeKUm46goQXqnJr6GyXu-S8gGTNHmjE6I1wEiFQuL77JHlzFvMl4x8mmuFBekklsuivc2OPT5KAvsjJp6gBrAciISGXZjl20xwIoQiV7R9_OMw2oCxbFI06h7fK-DAnmHFAvAK-H/s1600/gold+coast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui1F7EeKUm46goQXqnJr6GyXu-S8gGTNHmjE6I1wEiFQuL77JHlzFvMl4x8mmuFBekklsuivc2OPT5KAvsjJp6gBrAciISGXZjl20xwIoQiV7R9_OMw2oCxbFI06h7fK-DAnmHFAvAK-H/s320/gold+coast.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17th tee, Gold Coast Country Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">We found a great deal on iseekgolf.com.au (a golf booking
system in Australia) which offered green fees and a cart at the Gold Coast
Country Club for $19.50 per person. Iseekgolf lists available tee times at a
number of courses and the price depends on which are the most popular times to
tee off. You must be a member to take advantage of the deals but membership is
easy and free. And you can save as much as 50% on fees, especially after
midday.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gold Coast Country Club reminded me of a public course. It
looked well used.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A lot of the ‘well used’ look was probably due to the high
rainfall over winter and the fact that they still let people use carts on a
course that didn’t have complete cart paths. So the sides of some fairways had what
looked like wombat wallows. Local rules included a club-length preferred lie
through the greens, which I found I needed for bare lies rather than muddy
patches.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But over here a ‘wet’ course is different to New Zealand. At
home you tend to get mud all over your shoes and trousers - we walked off
today’s course with mudless shoes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course, the cart might have had something to do with
that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of the bunkers were GUR. They were easy to pick out as
they were the bunkers with ducks swimming in them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I thought the course was fine. It helped to hit the ball
straight, which we both managed today. This was probably helped by hitting 30
or 40 balls at the practice range before we played. (70 balls for $10)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Gold Coast course measures 5526 metres so our fairway
woods got more work than at Gainsborough Greens. It had some large greens but
the undulations weren’t as severe as Gainsborough Greens so the putting was a
little easier. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMMbNQh_yIUqCvPya1EBHJ7maJPN-M08_25zWi6XUoF4oDNkFd3W1EWNjHvQ0h_MKls1GJ8PqL-y9m1X3LIfRTWiQ-JD3aLoKrXMFifdfOayrcNH4BDj_nyaC-UdBXTSC7RwPOuzqTm5a/s1600/IMG_0397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMMbNQh_yIUqCvPya1EBHJ7maJPN-M08_25zWi6XUoF4oDNkFd3W1EWNjHvQ0h_MKls1GJ8PqL-y9m1X3LIfRTWiQ-JD3aLoKrXMFifdfOayrcNH4BDj_nyaC-UdBXTSC7RwPOuzqTm5a/s320/IMG_0397.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greens or browns?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I’m starting to get used to the stringy grass they
have on their greens. I suppose it has to be tough to survive in this heat, but
I’m finding it difficult to judge speed and to read break. When you fix
pitchmarks, it feels like a brillo on grit.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">Only two of the par 4s were under 300 metres and the greens
are well protected by bunkers, so you really need to hit your fairway woods
strong and straight to score well here. The first eight holes were interesting
enough but the 9th really grabbed our attention.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a dogleg par 5 of 485 metres, uphill for your last shot
over water. Fairway bunkers to avoid off the tee and you’ve got to place your
second shot far enough up to reach the green, but not too far or you’ll be in
water, which is both sides of where your ball ends up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For your third shot you look up to a green and if you’re not
far enough left, you not only have to carry a swamp, but you also have to carry
two large bunkers. And forget about bailing out left of the green, because
there’s another bunker there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I carried the swamp ... but not the bunker. Which left me
with a long bunker shot to a long double-green (the 9th and 18th). I used my
pitching wedge, for a little extra length, and pitched my ball ... into the
next bunker. Finally got on the green and managed to 2-putt from 40 feet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That gave me my first double bogey for a 43 (par 36). Fiona
was 42.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could hear the car keys jangling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The back nine of this course is where things really get
interesting because along with plenty of bunkers, you’ve got water. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time we got to the 12th (par 3, 115 metres over
water) our scores were even. I teed off first and my 6-iron found the green.
Fiona’s ball soared over the water and landed just on the other side, almost
stopped, and then trickled back into the pond.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I offered sympathy (it was a brand new ball) but was told...
Well, I daren’t repeat it here because this is not an R18 blog. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two-shot swing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fiona made up one of the shots on the next hole with a good
up-and-down where we were both short on a par 5 with a long uphill green, pin
at the back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 15th is a 345 metre par 4 with a bunker across most of
the front of the green. I hit two good woods and still had 40 metres left, over
the bunker. Fiona was about 10 metres closer. I played my gap wedge to 6 feet.
Fiona played her sand wedge like a driver and the ball skidded over the green
and into water, which we hadn’t realised was there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I sympathised. Another new ball. Only a two-shot swing as I
missed my putt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 16th is a wonderful dogleg par 4, only 287 metres but a
very narrow landing area for your drive. There’s water up the right from about
130 metres off the tee, cutting into the fairway the further to the hole you
go, and trees left. We both drove well and had 97 metres left, 50 metres over
water which had cut in front of the green.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a two-tiered green so I took an extra club, figuring
that the hill behind the hole would stop my ball going too far. The plan worked
perfectly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fiona’s ball cleared the water, but not the bank.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Splash went the ball.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A new ball.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I kept my mouth shut.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’ll drive,” said Fiona.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Parred the last 3 holes to shoot 39 (par 35) and a total of
82, so things are looking up.</div>Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-2979202814942080362012-07-27T03:22:00.000-07:002012-07-27T03:22:00.562-07:00Gainsborough Greens Golf Club, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyKXojlsy7Ep8m4BQsp-VJqopdfosE8gsQ-sD2gE63OYLPj03HiAXMfmYXChJ8VgAE4x6UOlnkG7bwA2Te6idWQY4YSl73FkrXDwPTwPOIG2ZxG68ntPXltxVmopIAgDa6WvImkHJCpi8/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyKXojlsy7Ep8m4BQsp-VJqopdfosE8gsQ-sD2gE63OYLPj03HiAXMfmYXChJ8VgAE4x6UOlnkG7bwA2Te6idWQY4YSl73FkrXDwPTwPOIG2ZxG68ntPXltxVmopIAgDa6WvImkHJCpi8/s320/IMG_0346.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strategy is more important than length at Gainsborough Greens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">When the driver disagreed with the first instruction on
Google Maps, to get to Gainsborough Greens, I wondered if it was an omen on the
way she would drive on the golf course.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alas, it was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the moral of the story is, if you don’t want to set
yourself up for diversions on the golf course, don’t take diversions on the way
there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Golf is all about setting up good habits and sometimes you
don’t know when the pre-shot routine has started.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found a flyer at the brochure stand at our resort for 18
holes at Gainsborough Greens, with a cart, for $39 and managed to book a
tee-off time at 12.36. It’s dark at 5.30 so we figured that was probably the
latest we should book, as sometimes rounds over here take 5 hours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I loved this course. Okay, it is a little bit scruffy with
some of the many bunkers a bit hard-packed around the edges and the greens were
not consistent in speed. But the layout means every single hole holds your
interest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a lot of doglegs and many holes have water
features but the bailout areas are generous. Gainsborough Greens oozes ‘character’,
unlike most of the resort courses which all seem to meld together in my memory.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(There’s dementia in my family so, in fairness, the courses
may not be at fault here.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Off the women’s tees, the course measures 5050 metres so it’s
not a monster. All the par 5s are over 400 metres and it takes 3 damn good
shots to get to them but many of the par 4s are under 300 metres so you don’t
have to be a big-hitter to score on this course.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first hole is a gentle introduction, only 246 metres
downhill to a hidden green. Bunkers left and right in the fairway so you have
to drive straight. I did and was left with 60 metres to the green and managed
to hit the first hole in regulation. “Love this course,” I thought, and
immediately 3-putted.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most of the greens are small but undulating so the putting
can be very tricky if you’re not in the right spot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Standing on the 2nd tee, you’re immediately jolted out of
your sense of security. The 2nd is a 285 metre par 4, dogleg right, pond in
front of the tee so you had to carry about 120 metres to get to the fairway.
Then at 145 metres, you had two large bunkers. So if you are a natural fader of
the ball, or you can control your slice, the hole is challenging but doable.
Visually intimidating and if I had any brains I’d have played a 5 wood on to
the fairway but ... where’s the fun in that?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After I wrote ‘7’ in the scorecard, I concluded there’d have
been way more fun in that, than hitting my ball into the left bunker, staying
in the bunker, dribbling out of the bunker, chunking my iron into the rough,
pulling my half-wedge and then chipping and one-putting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At least the hole had a happy ending.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fortunately, that was my worst score at the course but the
front 9 (par 35) really chewed me up and spat me out. I scored 48.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxZ6AI-PBA6xPjcG-hsjc6bTYuMj5O3qBVdtIglsI_ZORdJpgO37sV-9JJLaqUywHhpuG8ZBf4ElzWCg9IFVnyDaP8_QH160jGas9KZgv-S8s6ZW5OZCiYV91SEAcfkgW6XuEfB0XwzCK/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxZ6AI-PBA6xPjcG-hsjc6bTYuMj5O3qBVdtIglsI_ZORdJpgO37sV-9JJLaqUywHhpuG8ZBf4ElzWCg9IFVnyDaP8_QH160jGas9KZgv-S8s6ZW5OZCiYV91SEAcfkgW6XuEfB0XwzCK/s320/IMG_0348.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sixth tee, Gainsborough Greens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fiona scored 45.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got my first birdie at the 11th, a 245 metre dogleg right
with a wide pond directly in front of the green. When Fiona went in the water
with her second shot, I changed from a 9 to an 8 iron and made the green. Sank
a 20 ft putt and decided the greens weren’t so bad after all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 12th hole is the narrowest hole I’ve ever seen. Well,
narrow probably isn’t quite right because it has a bailout area on the left but
when you stand on the tee, there’s a stand of trees immediately on your right
which appear to go almost to the green. The right front of the green is guarded
by a bunker and there are lots of humps and hollows on the left.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 239 metres, it’s a very short par 4 but, once again,
visually intimidating. Especially if you haven’t watched the Ms Kallas-Way
YouTube video on bunker play.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You could easily lay up with an iron off the tee but ...
where’s the fun in that?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my drive ended up in the greenside bunker, (I hit the
cart path for extra distance and, yes, of course I planned it that way) I
decided I had to redefine my meaning of ‘fun’ when on the golf course. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I applied the principles of Ms Kallas-Way’s bunker
tuition and ‘showed the crab the view’ to end up nicely on the green where I
sank a 15 ft putt for another birdie.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 18th is a superb par 5 finishing hole, 436 metres dogleg
left. I suspect a lot of scores have been ruined here but it’s a buzz if you
hit the green in regulation without going in the water. You need to keep your
drive right as there is water on the left and a very strategically placed tree,
leftish, to muck up your second shot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ended up behind the aforementioned tree but managed to
draw my 3 wood around it which left me with 130 metres to the green. Which was
protected by a wide lake, directly in front.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you’re a nervous golfer, or running out of balls, you
could lay up to the water with a half wedge and then have a short iron to the
green but ... where’s the fun in that?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
130 metres is a 4-iron for me but with that water in front
and heaps of room at the back of the green, I took out my 5 wood ... and landed
pin high.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, I 3-putted. But it’s always a buzz when you
pull off those shots across water.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whoever invented the saying ‘game of two halves’ must have
been a golfer. Thanks to long, straight driving and steady irons on the second
nine (par 37) I managed to shoot 40 coming home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fiona shot 45, so I didn’t have to drive back to the resort.
(Worst gross has to drive home.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The round was very slow on the front 9 but not so bad on the
back and took four and a half hours. Although we had a cart, it’s a very easy
walking course so we’d use trundlers next time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you don’t hit the ball straight, you’ll need lots of
spare balls because there is a lot of water. And, unlike the resort courses, it
comes into play a lot. But don’t let that intimidate you. This is a course
where strategy matters (and there is lots of fun in that) and I think it’s got
something to offer all handicap ranges.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t wait to play this course again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Not so sure about Fiona.)</div>
Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-18151842422787868172012-07-25T17:18:00.002-07:002012-07-25T17:20:20.498-07:00Queensland Golf on a Jandal BudgetJuly 26 and it's our first full day in Australia.<br />
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<br />
Our mission, and we've chosen to accept it, is to have a really, really cheap golfing holiday, and to give you tips on how to do the same. All prices are in Australian dollars.<br />
After a shocking flight yesterday from Wellington (the flight was smooth but the chin reflected in the airplane toilet mirror was not), we arrived in Brisbane to a warm 20 degrees day.<br />
I'm trying to figure out what it is about me that means every time I fly, I get pulled aside and patted down for explosives. It usually only happens on the Aussie side but this time it happened in Wellington.<br />
"It's because my surname's Irish, isn't it?" I asked the patter-down. She assured me it was completely random. Now, I'm not great at maths but 3 out of 4 flights is not completely random.<br />
It was the first time we'd flown with Virgin and I'd give them full marks (apart from the lighting over the toilet mirror) for an excellent flight.<br />
My definition of an excellent flight is a flight that takes off and lands without killing me.<br />
We picked up our rental car, a 2011 Hyundai Elantra ($976 for 36 days, 100 kms per day, Apex Rental) and went with the $1 per day for tolls option. By doing that, you don't have to worry about ringing the toll authorities, or trying to pick out alternative routes to miss the toll roads. (Not always the best option, especially if you're the navigator and the driver doesn't react well to being told, "Whoops, we should have turned back there" several times per trip.)<br />
Nice car with heaps of room in the boot for two sets of golf clubs in carry bags. However, if you have all your music on your Ipod, you'll need to bring your own Ipod car cable to connect to the car system. Not a problem for us as we own a Hyundai i45.<br />
Of course, once you've connected the Ipod, there could be a problem agreeing on the music. I'd advise anyone keen on their own music to adopt the navigator role as it's easier to control the Ipod when you don't have a steering wheel in the way. Just remember the phrase, "Whoops, we should have turned back there" any time the driver gets uppity. Especially if you're into Siouxsie and the Banshees and the driver's refusing to sing along.<br />
We're having our first five nights in Coolangatta/Tweed Heads because we're keen to play Ocean Shores Golf Course, in northern New South Wales, again. It was our favourite golf course in this area, last year, and they do good deals on green fees.<br />
We found a good deal on the Internet, staying at the Greenmount Beach Resort for $90 per night, which includes a cooked breakfast. The Resort doesn't realise it, but a cooked breakfast also means a packed lunch. Just take a bag or a sweatshirt with you to the restaurant and you'll be able to smuggle out enough bacon for a couple of bacon butties for lunch.<br />
Five free lunches for 2 people (@ a conservative $10 per person) = $100, which equals 2 green fees at a reasonable golf course.<br />
The Greenmount is a bit tired but passes my test as an acceptable place to stay, ie, I arrive and leave without the place killing me.<br />
Whoops, no, that's the airline test.<br />
It passes most of my accommodation tests, which are:<br />
1. It's clean.<br />
2. There's enough room to do my back stretching exercises on the floor and, when I get up from the floor, there's nothing yukky stuck to my back.<br />
3. Central location within walking distance of a supermarket.<br />
4. Quiet room with comfortable bed.<br />
I've struck number 5 off my list because so few hotels/motels pass it.<br />
Thickness of toilet paper.<br />
It's a good idea to look at the brochure stands in the motels as you can find some good golf deals there. We found a flyer for a round of golf at Gainsborough Greens for $39.50, including a cart. Gainsborough Greens is featured in the Golf Australia magazine we bought and they say it's one of the Gold Coast's best-value-for-money courses.<br />
We're playing it today, so I'll let you know.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-18177841597684202902012-07-23T21:41:00.001-07:002012-07-24T10:19:06.853-07:00Rebirthing Breathwork and GolfRebirthing Breathwork claims to 'improve physical health, release toxins from the body, increase the ability to deal with stress, and help to release stored emotions from the body'.<br />So does hitting a good golf shot.<br /><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/102314221422632058552/ScrapbookPhotos#5768591625284586242'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5DewyZenKr5-IcQ2WMHE5atEkIwRHUkbGRygarucYM2lcQWWK2x6Ibh49OPFCoTY7tfzGxzA45lGSQzKqgpgEP2QUGsEvOm6tQb1n7NczHnEhl9QfY9yTjzIBBNEkbT5j9WefAOGKXAx/s288/0.jpg' border='0' width='211' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a><br />Agonising Golf and More Agonising Golf ebooks available<br />from smashwords.com<br /><br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-63173873675434943502012-07-19T15:27:00.000-07:002012-07-19T15:27:55.492-07:00Revolutionary New Golf Swing Method<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">18th hole, Waikanae</td></tr>
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Have you tried absolutely everything to improve your golf, and nothing works?<br />
Here's some good news!<br />
You haven't tried everything until you've tried the revolutionary new golf swing improvement method, rigoruously developed by Ms Kallas-Way.<br />
Golfers have tried swing lessons, psychiatric advice, fitness regimes, nutritional plans, video lessons.<br />
They haven't worked.<br />
And why haven't they worked?<br />
Because they haven't narrowed their focus enough.on the vital part of the golf swing.<br />
Club on ball.<br />
That's right! Who cares what happens on the way back or on the way through, as long as the clubface hits the ball squarely? Jim Furyk and Bubba Watson certainly don't.<br />
Here's what you do.<br />
On a perfectly still day, find a tree over a pond. Take golf club and ball into that tree and find a wee forked branch which will hold your ball.<br />
Hit the ball.<br />
The trick (apart from not falling out of the tree) is to watch your clubface hit the ball, by observing your reflection below.<br />
This not only makes you keep your head down, but it also imprints the swing fault on your brain so you have better recall. When you can 'see' the fault, you're 90% of the way to fixing it.<br />
Add a crocodile to the pond, as above, and you can also fix any balance problems.<br />
Ms Kallas-Way guarantees this method as a sure-fix solution to scoring lower.<br />
There's just one little hitch.<br />
You'll have to buy a new set of clubs (left-handed if you're right-handed, and right if you're left) because you'll be looking at a mirror image.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-82073561575500743762012-07-16T15:58:00.001-07:002012-07-16T15:58:54.750-07:00Blindfold Golf<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blindfold golf </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The golf lesson I had last week wasn't going well, so when the pro went into his office and came back with a blindfold, my heart sank.</span><br />
Good God, I thought, my swing has got so bad that he can't even bear to look at me!<br />
I was used to this response when I put a home-cooked meal in front of guests, but had never had it at golf before.<br />
"If it's that bad, couldn't you just close your eyes?" I asked.<br />
"It's not for me," he said, "it's for you."<br />
Good God, I thought, he's going to shoot me!<br />
I stepped backwards.<br />
He stepped forwards.<br />
I stepped backwards, and fell over my bag.<br />
The pro helped me up. I couldn't see any gun-like bulges under his clothes.<br />
He motioned me to get my 6 iron and return to the driving bay. "You have a problem with trust," he said, approaching me with the blindfold.<br />
"Only since watching the 'Crime and Investigation' channel," I said.<br />
The pro shook his head. "Trusting your<i> swing</i>."<br />
I relaxed. "Oh, trusting my<i> swing</i>. Now I see."<br />
The pro tied the blindfold across my eyes and oriented me to the practice ball.<br />
I swang.<br />
The ball went sideways. I fell over.<br />
I pushed the blindfold up and hit a practice ball, ok, and then put the blindfold down.<br />
The ball went forwards, but not very far. Me too.<br />
I obviously needed to work on my balance.<br />
I played one shot without the blindfold and then one shot with it. After half a dozen shots, I hit a very good 6 iron with the blindfold, and managed to hold my finish without falling over.<br />
The pro removed the blindfold. "Any time you have a bad round where you're not hitting your irons solidly, I want you to go to the practice fairway and do this drill. The main thing wrong with your swing is that you hit a few bad shots and then get too analytical."<br />
"Paralysis by ananlysis," I said.<br />
He nodded. "If you can hit the ball that well, without seeing it, and maintain your balance, you will learn to trust muscle memory."<br />
NB. Don't leave your car at a 45 degree angle to the practice fairway. This is a great exercise for golfers, but can be hard on parked cars.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-46532513159198497802012-07-14T17:32:00.001-07:002012-07-14T17:32:52.809-07:00Adrenaline Golf<br />
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<br />
How can we boost golf club membership numbers?<br />
That's the question golf course managers throughout New Zealand are asking, as membership numbers continue to slide.<br />
The Shady Acres club, in the backblocks of New Zealand, has come up with an exciting concept. I interviewed the entrepreneur who has managed to reverse the shrinking membership trend.<br />
"Well," said Fred, president, captain, treasurer and greenkeeper of Shady Acres golf club, "the problem is that as our older members kark it, there aren't enough young 'uns to replace them."<br />
Fred pointed at an area behind the clubhouse that had a lot of crosses (made from golf clubs) on it.<br />
"We've sold a lot of grave plots out back where we used to keep the fertiliser, but that's only a one-off source of income." He scratched his chin. "We had to come up with a way to make golf appeal to kids who sit on their arses all day, stare at a screen and blow things up or away."<br />
I nodded. "Yes, it's a tough market to entice into the great outdoors."<br />
Fred grabbed my arm. "Exactly! That's why we got on to all the social media we could cover and discovered that there is one thing which gets these kids (anyone under 30) outside." He nodded sagely. "A quick hit of adrenaline."<br />
I extracted my arm and rubbed it. "You're going to give them guns and get them to shoot all the slow players?"<br />
"Nope," said Fred, "even slow players are welcome, in these hard times."<br />
I shrugged. "So ..."<br />
Fred grabbed my other arm and dragged me towards the greenkeeper's shed. "Wait'll you see this," he said.<br />
A shot of adrenaline coursed through my veins but, fortunately, Fred didn't undo any zips. He pointed to a pen of sheep. "There you have it. New Zealand's answer to Pamplona's running of the bulls."<br />
I stared at the sheep. "I can't really see the similarity."<br />
Fred let go of my arm and put his hand in his pocket. "Take a look at this."<br />
I recoiled, but Fred merely pulled a camera out of his pocket.<br />
Unfortunately, the battery was flat. He shoved the camera back in his pocket and pointed again at the sheep. <span style="background-color: white;">"Running of the Rams Golf, coming to a course, near you!"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">I stared at the sheep. "They don't even have horns."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">"Of course not," said Fred, "they're Perendales."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">"Oh?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">"New Zealand breed. Perfect for Running of the Rams Golf. We don't want the golfers to get gored. We need returning customers." He jumped into the pen and wrestled a ram closer. I peered over the railing.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">"See," said Fred, "the high whithers and upright carriage of the head. And look at the well laid back shoulders and the spring in the pasterns. Combine that with a slight slope at the tailhead and you've got maximum drive from the hindquarters. This sheep is the closest animal you'll ever get to Spain's Pamplona bulls!"</span><br />
I must have looked doubtful. Fred leapt out of the pen. "Get your golf clubs."<br />
In spite of my protests of not being under 30 and therefore not needing a shot of adrenaline to enjoy my golf, Fred insisted. I stood uncertainly on the first tee. "When do you release the rams?"<br />
Fred smiled. "Ahh, that's the secret. You won't know. Could be the first hole, could be the ninth."<br />
After having doubts about Running of the Rams golf, I'm now a convert. <span style="background-color: white;">It's amazing how being trampled by stampeding rams cures overswinging.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-6515371798663819892012-07-13T21:08:00.002-07:002012-07-13T21:08:16.158-07:00Ten Good Reasons for golfing on an Active Volcano1. Perfect excuse for 3-putting, i.e. I missed that putt because the mountain trembled and knocked my ball off-line.<div>
2. No such thing as slow play when the volcano erupts.</div>
<div>
3. Volcanoes turn golf into an adventure sport.</div>
<div>
4. An eruption means you can play at night.</div>
<div>
5. You get more satisfaction out of throwing errant clubs into boiling lava than water.</div>
<div>
6. The adrenaline you produce during a volcanic eruption will have you hitting the ball 40 to 50 metres further than usual.</div>
<div>
7. That annoying person in your four who's always saying, "I'll never play golf again" might not.</div>
<div>
8. You'll finally find out whether or not you're suited to speed golf.</div>
<div>
9. If it's the middle of winter, at least you'll be able to keep your hands and feet warm.</div>
<div>
10. You'll be forced to keep your head down to avoid ash in your eye and flying boulders.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Buy Mountain Mayhem and you'll discover how to survive on an erupting volcano. (It comes down to wearing the correct underwear.)</div>Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4965609120556285481.post-68166663273690836722012-07-12T21:16:00.000-07:002012-07-12T21:16:53.375-07:00Centennial Golf Course, Taupo, New Zealand<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centennial Golf Club stone age golfer</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I played Centennial Golf Course, Taupo, a few days ago, for the first time in 20 years.</span><br />
Since my game, way back then, they've removed a lot of trees, giving it very much a links feel. However, the lack of trees has not made it any easier.<br />
Off the women's tees, most of the par 4's are well over 300 metres long so you need to be driving straight and hitting the fairway woods and long irons well.<br />
If you have a mean slice or wild hook, take lots of balls. Although there isn't any water, the long rough is very gnarly and swallows balls quicker than a hypochondriac swallows pills.<br />
(I'd just like to mention here that we three women didn't lose one ball, while the male in the group lost three.)<br />
We played at 11.00 on a Monday and, on a perfect still, sunny day, pretty much had the course to ourselves. It's very relaxing when you have no golfers ahead of or behind you.<br />
If you don't already have it, buy a copy of the New Zealand Golf Guide.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://nzgolfguide.myshopify.com/pages/page" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">New Zealand Golf Guide</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10th green at Centennial</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">(It's great for reduced green fees, but also wonderful because of all the course and contact info it contains.)</span> We got $15 off our round by presenting the book, so only paid $32 for our round. That has to be the bargain of the year for a course in such good order in the middle of winter.<div>
The first hole is superb. A very sharp dogleg left, 225 metres, where you can't take driver off the tee or you'll go in the trees on the far side, if you're lucky, or the fairway bunkers, if you're not. It's one of only two par 4's under 300 metres, the 17th being the other one. A wee draw with a rescue wood worked well for us.</div>
<div>
I'm trying to think of a signature hole, but there are so many good holes that I'll have to adopt a few aliases.</div>
<div>
The 5th and 6th are on my list. The 5th is a long par 5, 450 metres, downhill at the end to a hidden green. (Alas, the shape of the hole matched my score as I missed the green left with my 3rd and ended up double-bogeying.)</div>
<div>
The 6th is a 149 metre par 3, with a deep donga left so don't go there. I did, and had a sunken lie so used my rescue wood to bump the ball up on to the green. Then I sank a 20 ft putt for par.</div>
<div>
The greens on Centennial are excellent. Reasonably quick without being scary fast, and they're all the same speed. They look dark green, certainly much darker than the greens I'm used to playing. I suppose that has something to do with all the frosts they get in Taupo.</div>
<div>
The 14th is a 338 metre dogleg left, with a raised green protected by bunkers left and right. Takes a good drive and a damn good second shot (probably with a fairway wood, if you're chicken/sensible and don't cut the corner) to get on this green.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5DYqRv-ULKVJF4OkJ4wg9WVG6zHk7-k_f40T6xcHkq7SqUDHOg5xfWcRMwkVo7D7zvtfT-8d2DSvYlKZAjS0PlITW7PheHf3qZ_NHCFDZPCKecm_spfiYbRZDyN6BqyHAViMml-YQxt1/s1600/IMG_0376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5DYqRv-ULKVJF4OkJ4wg9WVG6zHk7-k_f40T6xcHkq7SqUDHOg5xfWcRMwkVo7D7zvtfT-8d2DSvYlKZAjS0PlITW7PheHf3qZ_NHCFDZPCKecm_spfiYbRZDyN6BqyHAViMml-YQxt1/s320/IMG_0376.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd shot to 14th green</td></tr>
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If pushed, I'll select the 16th as the signature hole on Centennial. Once again, it's a dogleg left, 337 metres where you need a long, straight drive to set up for a second shot across a valley to the green. A very long green which I managed to hit in two. It's just a shame that my ball was at the back and the pin was at the front. Three-putted for a bogey ... sigh.<div>
Fantastic golf course and, although it chewed me up and spat me out, I'll look forward to returning because I'm sure I can score better.</div>
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That's the one good thing about playing badly, providing you're an optimist.<br /><div>
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</div>Ms Kallas-Wayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01772802185831662539noreply@blogger.com0